Sushmita Dev on Rajanikhal eviction: “SC did its duty, now it’s Government’s turn to provide relief”

All India National Congress’ Mahila wing president and former member of parliament from Silchar Lok Sabha constituency, Sushmita Dev met DFO Sunny Deo Choudhury today afternoon. Dev went to see the officer in order to understand the procedure followed by the department with conducting the recent eviction drive at Rajanikhal in Dholai legislative assembly constituency.

“When I met the people in Rajanikhal they showed me a notice which was issued by the DFO, so, I came to see the DFO. The notice stated that the residents need to evacuate within seven days as the department would carry an eviction drive. To ask people residing for 30 years here to leave within 30 days is inhuman in my view,” Dev told our correspondent.

11 elephants, 450 security personnel were used by the administration to evict 82 families from the village which belongs to the government’s forest department. Dev said that the DFO did his duty and she has got no problem with that but now the government of Assam should step up and help the people, “Leaving people stranded in the middle of nowhere in rainy weather while they have nothing to eat, what kind of governance is that?” she questioned. She added, “Supreme court gave an order and did its duty, the DFO conducted an eviction drive and did its duty. Now it is time for the government to fulfill its duty and provide them relief.”

The former MP said there are many questions for the government to answer. “Residences sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing for all scheme) were demolished, government schools were demolished. These houses were supplied electricity under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, roads were sanctioned and built under government policies. How did the government issue so many facilities to these people if they were living illegally,” she questioned.

She also took a jibe at Parimal Suklabaidya and said that after becoming forest and environment minister in the government of Assam, he has forgotten his responsibility for the people of his constituency, who elected him as an MLA.

The MP asserted that Congress will examine if they can go to the court to ensure relief for the ones affected. “Today it happened in Rajanikhal, tomorrow it can happen in many other places too. So, we will see what can be done to ensure that their basic needs are taken care of,” Dev added.