By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Residents of 16 villages under the Palasbari and Azara revenue circles in south Kamrup have expressed concern over reports of land acquisition and possible eviction for the proposed Aero City and Satellite Township projects near Guwahati, even though no official eviction order has been issued.
The villages in the proposed project area are Patgaon, Jobe, Sajjanpara, Rajapanichanda, Andherijuli, Rangapara, Kachari Allibari, Batabari, Matifuturi, Pachaniyapara, Jangalipara, Kamargaon, Lochana, Sathikarpa, Maliyata and Deur Ali.
Residents said recent activities by the revenue department have heightened apprehensions. According to local sources, government notifications have been issued for the valuation and acquisition of agricultural land in six villages — Jobe, Pachaniyapara, Matifuturi, Deur Ali, Jangalipara and Kamargaon.
Revenue officials, village heads and local administrative personnel have been collecting land records, with sources indicating that the documentation process was scheduled to be completed and submitted to the government by June 25.
Villagers said that, instead of the usual agricultural activity during this time of the year, fields in the area have witnessed increased survey activity, reinforcing fears that land acquisition or eviction may be imminent.
The proposed development plan envisages an Aero City by the Adani Group and a Satellite Township by the Assam government in the Rani-Bongara region on the outskirts of Guwahati.
The projects are proposed to cover around 6,662 bighas of land, including about 2,662 bighas earmarked for the Aero City, while the remaining land has been identified for the Satellite Township.
Residents fear the projects could affect livelihoods, as farming is the primary source of income for many families. They have also sought clarity on rehabilitation and resettlement measures in the event of land acquisition or eviction.
Several of the villages fall within the south Kamrup Tribal Belt and Block. Villages including Jobe, Sajjanpara, Rajapanichanda, Andherijuli, Rangapara, Kachari Allibari and Batabari are also under the jurisdiction of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC).
Tribal organisations have expressed concern that bringing these protected tribal areas under the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) could affect constitutional safeguards, land rights, cultural identity and the administrative autonomy of indigenous communities. They have also argued that such a move could weaken the self-governance powers of the RHAC.
On June 18, the Rani Regional Tribal Sangha, the Rani Regional All Bodo Students’ Union and the Rani Regional Rabha Students’ Union submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Palasbari Co-District Commissioner, urging the government to safeguard the rights and interests of indigenous communities in the proposed project area.