Consider power connection to Janasimalu residents: Gauhati High Court

AMCHANG EVICTION VICTIMS' PLEA

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: One hundred and fourteen members of the Brihattar Janasimalu Nonke Janakalyan Samiti termed as 'illegal encroachers' after the eviction drive in Amchang Reserve Forest in November 2017 have got an edge when a bench of the Gauhati High Court has asked the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd) to consider their power connection, if necessary, temporary connection without insisting on any NOCs (No-Objection Certificates) from the State Forest Department.

The High Court has, however, made it clear that "the present order is only to provide electricity connection to the members of the writ petitioners' Samiti and therefore, this order does not in any way deal with the larger question as to the status of the land occupied by the members of the petitioner Samity".

The one-judge High Court bench was of Justice Suman Shyam. With this, the writ petition stands disposed of.

The eviction drive in the Amchang Reserve Forest did create a ruckus in the State in November 2017.

The petitioners' Samity comprising 114 members who claim to be residents of Janasimalu NC Village of Dispur Revenue Circle approached the High Court seeking "a direction upon the APDCL authorities to provide them with electricity connection in their residential units". Referring to a gazette notification of the Revenue and Disaster Management department dated June 30, 2010, the counsel of the petitioners submitted that "the area coming under Janasimalu NC Village has been the subject matter of revenue resettlement operation and therefore, the question of the writ petitioners as illegal encroachers of reserve forest does not arise in this case. He also submits that electricity is an essential commodity which cannot be denied to any citizen."

Also Read: Most of encroachers in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary are affluent ones

Also watch: Koch Rajbangshi Jatiya Mahasabha (KRJM) addressed a press meet in the context of the BTC election