Two separate adjournment motions were introduced by Congress and All India United Democratic Front to discuss the continuous eviction drive against encroachers from government land for the last few months and their rehabilitation at various places across the state.
After listening to both the opposition and government versions over inclusion of the adjournment motion, Assam Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami dismissed the adjournment motion and said there were at least three other devices through which the issue could be discussed.
"I have given my ruling. You cannot challenge my ruling. ...You may not like it. But for that also, there is a device," Goswami said.
Earlier, arguing for admission of the motion for a
More From This Section
discussion, the Congress leader said people were being evicted without any rehabilitation and they were indigenous people with many having valid land documents.
"The government proposes to give some compensation as per the old British-made policy. It had assured to compensate within 40 days, but already 90 days have passed. The government has broken its promise," Saikia claimed.
"Without any proper verification, people are evicted and living in open areas like river bank in this cold. Children have died. It is a matter of public importance as the government failed to deliver its role. So, the matter should be discussed," he added.
Ahmed also questioned the government for treating the evicted persons as suspected Bangladeshi nationals and said, "If that is the case, then why were they not being sent to detention camps instead of just allowing them to leave the place and settle again somewhere else?"
"As per rule, we cannot allow adjournment motion during Budget discussion or discussion on Thanks to President's and Governor's speech.
"There are four other devices and the opposition should bring it through them," he added.
Requesting the Speaker to dismiss the adjournment motion, Patowary said eviction of encroachers will not stop and will continue across the state.