The displaced residents feel the compensation is far from sufficient
Over a year since the eviction drive began in Silsako Beel, hundreds of displaced families continue to demand the compensation promised by the Assam government. With persistent protests and a growing sense of frustration, these evicted residents, mostly indigenous Assamese, feel abandoned as they struggle with life after losing their homes. Their appeals for rehabilitation, justice, and compensation remain unmet, and despite repeated assurances from government officials, many say that hope is wearing thin.
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In August 2024, tensions reached a boiling point when a large group of Silsako evictees protested outside the Assam Legislative Assembly. Carrying placards and chanting, they accused the state government of favoring outsiders over local Assamese families. These families, displaced by a drive meant to restore the ecological health of Silsako Beel, argue that they have been left homeless and unsupported while they witness the government seemingly prioritise other resettlements.
Since the eviction process began in May 2022, Silsako residents have been repeatedly promised a compensation package for their losses. These evictions were part of a larger environmental plan to restore the wetland area and curb urban encroachment. While the project had its defenders, the affected families found themselves without proper shelter, financial stability, or any immediate assistance.
The displaced residents feel the compensation announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in September 2024—₹10 lakh for RCC constructions, ₹5 lakh for Assam-type houses, and ₹1 lakh for kaccha (temporary) houses—is far from sufficient. Many argue that the costs of constructing a new home and resettling, especially in Guwahati’s expensive real estate market, exceed these amounts substantially.
For some, the compensation is not only inadequate but elusive.
Dhanmoni Kalita, a resident of Silsako Beel, talking to GPlus said, “We did not receive our compensation till now. More than ₹10 lakh we have not received.”
Similarly, Das, another resident talking to GPlus said, “We have only received ₹10 lakh which is not enough for us. Building our house cost us over ₹35 lakh. Who will give us our money back?”
Banima Bora, who also lost her home in the eviction, said, “Since our eviction, we have not received any compensation till now. We have even filled out our forms, but nothing has come through.”
The evicted families accuse the government of ignoring the plight of indigenous Assamese people while allegedly making room for settlers from outside the state, including claims that certain groups of people receive preferential treatment. Although the government has refuted these claims, the sentiment among the evictees is one of betrayal and neglect.
At the August 2024 protest, the situation became chaotic when a police officer reportedly slapped a female protestor. The incident only fueled the residents’ anger, with many calling it an abuse of power and demanding an apology. They argued that this aggressive response underscored their belief that the state views their demands as an inconvenience rather than a legitimate plea for justice.
In response to these criticism, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly committed to delivering the promised compensation. He stated that his government has devised a comprehensive package to ensure that all eligible evictees are compensated according to the type of housing they lost. However, despite these promises, disbursement has been slow. Many residents claim they are yet to see any money, and those who have received funds find the compensation inadequate.
Speaking to GPlus, a senior official from the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) defended the government’s actions. “It was encroached land,” the official explained. “We are giving compensation as much as possible in phases. Many have already received it. To be eligible for compensation, applicants must have the necessary documentation, such as electricity bills and other proof of residence.”
The Silsako Beel restoration project was initiated as part of a larger environmental effort to revive Guwahati’s wetlands and combat flooding in the city. Over the years, Silsako Beel had been encroached upon, shrinking in size and affecting the local ecosystem. The government justified the evictions as a necessary step to bring back ecological balance and prevent urban sprawl from further damaging the wetland.
Talking to GPlus, another resident in Guwahati seeking anonymity said, "The case of Silsako Beel has intensified ongoing debates over indigenous rights and land use in Assam. Indigenous Assamese communities fear that they are being systematically sidelined in their own land as the government pursues policies that prioritise infrastructure development and environmental restoration, often at their expense."
As the Silsako evictees continue to struggle for the compensation they were promised, critical questions loom over the Assam government’s handling of the issue. How much longer will these families have to wait for relief? Why has the promised aid been slow to reach those in need? If the government can push forward with large-scale eviction drives and environmental projects, why can’t it provide timely support to the very citizens affected by these initiatives? For the displaced families, these are not just questions of policy but of basic justice and human dignity. The government’s promises, made months ago, have yet to be fully realised, leaving these families to wonder if their plight will ever be addressed.
