Jharkand Ex-CM in Kokrajhar

: Kokrajhar, November 4, 2010

Former Jharkand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi visited Kokrajhar to over see the alleged eviction against the Adivasis population in Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest even as the 12 hrs Assam bandh called by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) in protest against the eviction evoke partial response in Bodo belts.

The Jharkhand ex-chief minister first stopped at Joypur relief camp before heading towards the Lumsung area in Ripu-Chirang Reserve forest where the eviction against the illegal encroachers happened to take place where he had a public meeting.

Marandi termed the eviction injustice against the Adivasis who have been living in the area and a conspiracy on the part of BTC and state got to drive away the people. He ordered the people to stay where they are and not move out of the area. Meanwhile the 12 hrs Assam bandh called by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) in protest against the eviction drive evoke partial response in Bood belts. While the bandh was total in Adivasi dominated area, it failed to make any impact in others palce including the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) headquarter Kokrajhar with all business establishments like shops, markets remaining open. The Adivasi organizations alleged the forest department of carrying put the eviction only against the people from the community.
The BTC forest department refutes the allegation by the Adivasi organizations saying that evictions were carried out against ‘all illegal forest encroachers and not on particular community. Those evicted so far were fresh encroachers belonging to Bodo, Rajbongsi, Rabha, Santali and Nepalis. The department has serve notices to the illegal settlers to move away from the reserve forest before the eviction was done’.

BTC deputy chief Kampha Borgoyary who is in-charge of Forest and Tourism termed the allegation by Marandi as baseless and uncalled for saying eviction is not against any community. Borgoyary siad besides a Reserve Forest , the Ripu-Chirang is also a elephant reserve and the BTC has declared it a wildlife sanctuary. When the whole world is concern about environment and wildlife it is our duty to protect wildlife, he added.

Massive encroachment is going on deep inside Saralpara and Ultapani area along Indo-Bhutan border, Lumsung, Laothi, Laopani and Khungring areas under Holtugaon forest division of Ripu-Chirang Forest despite the department effort to evict them out. The forest wealth in BTC has been thoroughly over exploited. Wide spread encroachment of forestland and indiscriminate feeling of trees have severely degrade the forests. Large scale felling of trees and encroachment in the last 3-4 years has shaken the very existence of the reserve forest.

BTC forest department have so far evicted over 2000 since the operation was carried out beginning October 30 last.
As per the official record over 30% of the forest land is under various grips of encroachers. Unofficial sources said the encroachment could be much higher 60-70% because the encroachment is taking place deep inside the reserve where the department officials hardly reach.