Vacate government land in 30 days: DC Biswajit Pegu

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Kamrup (M) Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu has issued a notification directing people to vacate lands allotted for government offices/institutions and protected lands, now under their illegal occupation, within 30 days. The notification adds that if the encroachers don't vacate the land within the stipulated time, they will be evicted in accordance with the 'Assam Land and Revenue Regulations-1886'.

The Deputy Commissioner has also told the encroachers to treat this notification as the 'notice for eviction' and 'no notice will be issued to them individually'.

The notification by the Deputy Commissioner is the outcome of an order issued by a division bench of the Gauhati High Court after hearing a suomotu PIL (10/2018) on November 12, 2020. In its order, the High Court said, "The matter relates to illegal occupation of Government land by individuals/ organizations has been pending since 2018. We would expect the State authorities to take more proactive steps to protect public land which is naturally scarce in Metropolitan cities which could be conveniently used for public purposes only. It is important to prevent these from becoming private properties by virtue of illegal occupation if the State turns a blind eye. We do not expect the State to turn a blind eye to the illegal encroachments going on in public land.

"We have noted that the State counsel was given sufficient time to file affidavit indicating the steps taken for evicting the illegal encroachers from the Government land.

"We have also noted that this Court by order dated 21.11.2019 directed the Deputy Commissioner to file an affidavit as to what action has been taken against the persons who have committed wrongs and are liable to be proceeded under the Assam Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2010.

"Accordingly, we direct all the respondents and Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro) to file respective affidavits without fail on or before 20.01.2021, failing which, the respondents shall remain present in person before this Court on that day at 10.30 am."

An earlier affidavit submitted to the High Court by the Kamrup (M) Deputy Commissioner BiswajitPegu did paint a grim picture of the encroachment of lands, including those belonging to the government, across the metropolitan district. After conducting a survey (by the departments themselves) of the lands encroached upon in Kamrup (M), the DC submitted his affidavit which revealed some startling facts that lands of various government departments, public sector undertakings, local authorities, charitable institutions, devalayas etc., have been grossly encroached upon.

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