Achi news desk-
Residents who were previously evacuated from Silesko vowed not to vote this year, citing complaints of compensation and alleged government neglect.
GUWAHATI: GPlus conducted an in-depth investigation to reveal why residents in Silesko are unsure or vow not to vote in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
During discussions with GPlus, many Silesko residents expressed concerns, claiming that a significant number of those evacuated in the initial phase did not receive adequate compensation, although Section 14 could not independently verify this claim.
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Silsako Beel, which is governed by the Guwahati Water Bodies (Conservation and Conservation) Act, 2008, prohibits activities such as dumping of garbage, land filling and construction in the notified areas. Violations are considered cognizable offenses under the Criminal Procedure Act, 1973, punishable by imprisonment or fines.
The land was historically used by tribal farmers, mainly from the Karbi community, to grow rice. Over time, settlements of Assamese, Bengalis and other tribal communities such as Mising, Bodo, Rabha, Dimasa and Dauri, sprang up in the region.
Successive governments have allocated land for infrastructure projects, including road development, for nearly three decades. Before the Water Bodies Act of 2008, Silesko served as Guwahati’s main garbage dumping site.
The current BJP state government claims that 396 of the 595 acres of wetlands are exposed. As a result, the administration has carried out several evacuation-demolition plans, most recently in September 2023, citing efforts to mitigate flooding and preserve the area.
These evacuations were executed under the Water Bodies Act of 2008, which aims to make Guwahati flood-free. The Act allows the GMDA to protect water bodies such as Sarusala Beel, Silsako Beel, Borsola Beel and Deepor Beel from encroachment and damage, enabling their development into natural reservoirs and eco-tourism centers.
Two years ago, the state government initiated the demolition of 1,203 houses in the Barbari area to rehabilitate Silesko Bayel.
However, disgruntled residents have revived fears about their homes being destroyed ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to GPlus, Goya Das, a resident of Silesko, said, "Our house required an investment of at least 40 lacs for construction. Although we destroyed more than half of it during the eviction, we got compensation of only 10 lakhs. This injustice makes us refrain from voting for BJP this time."
Another resident who spoke to GPlus criticized the ruling party’s apparent indifference to their plight. "The government’s actions are unfair and discriminatory. We refuse to participate in the election process under these circumstances."
Local communities have actively protested the drives, asserting their longstanding presence in the area, with accusations of government favoritism towards influential individuals and private companies.
Another Silesko resident seeking anonymity highlighted the disparity, stating, "Only the buildings of the rich remain. We refuse to vote this time. The ruling party only brought us suffering and loss."
He also added, "During the Congress government from 2006-2011, when Himanta Biswa Sarma served as Guwahati’s Development Department Minister, Hotel Ginger was established in 2009 by the Indian Hotels Corporation (IHCL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, on Silesko land."
In 2019-20, Queen Ojha, Member of Parliament of Guwahati, inaugurated the construction of Sanjivani Road, funded by the MPLADS.
Also Read: “Women are more interested in voting,” says BJP’s Ratna Singh
As the BJP-led government continues its efforts to remove encroachments in mainland Guwahati, tribal communities living there have complained about paying property taxes and electricity for years. The claims of favoritism in the allocation of land and the displacement of the poor caused dissatisfaction.
Following protests demanding compensation in September, the government approved Rs 75 lakh for ten houses, with RCC house owners getting Rs 10 lakh each and Assam type house owners getting Rs 5 lakh each.
