Residents previously evicted from Silsako have vowed not to cast their votes this year, citing grievances over compensation and alleged government neglect.
GUWAHATI: GPlus conducted an in-depth investigation to uncover why residents in Silsako are uncertain or vowed not to cast their votes in the forthcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections.
During discussions with GPlus, many Silsako residents voiced concerns, alleging that a significant portion of those evicted during the initial phase had not received adequate compensation, though Article 14 could not independently verify this claim.
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Silsako Beel, governed by the 2008 Guwahati Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act, prohibits activities such as garbage dumping, earth-filling, and construction in notified areas. Violations are considered cognizable offenses under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, punishable by imprisonment or fines.
The land was historically utilised by tribal farmers, predominantly from the Karbi community, for rice cultivation. Over time, settlements of Assamese, Bengali, and other tribal communities like Mising, Bodo, Rabha, Dimasa, and Deori, emerged in the area.
Successive governments allocated land for infrastructure projects, including road development, over nearly three decades. Before the 2008 Waterbodies Act, Silsako served as Guwahati's primary garbage dumping site.
The current BJP state government alleges that 396 out of 595 acres of the wetland are encroached upon. Consequently, the administration has conducted multiple eviction-demolition drives, most recently in September 2023, citing efforts to mitigate flooding and preserve the area.
These evictions were executed under the 2008 Waterbodies Act, aimed at making Guwahati flood-free. The Act permits the GMDA to protect water bodies like Sarusala Beel, Silsako Beel, Borsola Beel, and Deepor Beel from encroachment and damage, allowing for 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 restore the Silsako Beel.
However, disgruntled residents have resurrected concerns over their demolished homes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Talking to GPlus, Goya Das, a Silsako resident said, "Our house required an investment of at least 40 lakhs to build. Despite demolishing more than half of it during the eviction, we received only Rs 10 lakhs in compensation. This injustice prompts us to abstain from voting for the BJP this time."
Another resident talking to GPlus criticised the ruling party's alleged indifference to their plight. "The government's actions are unfair and discriminatory. We refuse to participate in the electoral process under these circumstances."
Local communities have actively protested the drives, asserting their longstanding presence in the area, with allegations of government favoritism towards influential individuals and private companies.
Another resident of Silsako seeking anonmity highlighted the disparity, stating, "Only the structures of the wealthy remain standing. We refuse to vote this time. The ruling party has only brought us suffering and loss."
He also added, "During the Congress government from 2006-2011, when Himanta Biswa Sarma served as the Guwahati Development Department Minister, the Ginger Hotel was established in 2009 by the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, on Silsako’s land."
In 2019-20, Queen Oja, a Guwahati Member of Parliament, inaugurated the construction of Sanjivani Path, funded through the MPLADS.
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As the BJP-led government continues its efforts to remove encroachments on the Guwahati wetland, tribal communities residing there lamented having paid property taxes and electricity for years. Allegations of favoritism in land allocation and displacement of the poor have fueled discontent.
Following protests demanding compensation in September, the government sanctioned Rs 75 lakh for ten houses, with owners of RCC houses receiving Rs 10 lakh each and owners of Assam-type houses receiving Rs 5 lakh each.
