The Gauhati High Court has asked the Centre, the governments of Mizoram and Assam to clear their stand on the alleged encroachment on Assam’s forest land by miscreants from the neighbouring hill state.
The court, while hearing a PIL filed by Assam Public Works (APW) on alleged encroachment on Assam’s forest land, asked the Assistant Solicitor General of India to file an affidavit with proper verification of the pleadings within three weeks, The Assam Tribune reported.
The counsel for the Mizoram government submitted before the court that the actual position and the stand of the government could only be stated through an affidavit.
He sought three weeks’ time for the purpose.
The counsel for Assam also made a similar submission.
APW president Abhijit Sarma said unabated encroachment by neighbouring states had over the years substantially reduced Assam’s forest land, causing fear psychosis among inhabitants along the State border.
He called for action by all the governments concerned to put an end to such illegalities.
The matter posted for hearing on February 22.