The opposition in Assam Assembly today staged a walkout form the House after the Speaker dismissed their adjournment motion to discuss the eviction drive in several places by the government.
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.
On this, the entire opposition rose to their feet and requested the Speaker to include the motion for a discussion by suspending all other businesses.
"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.
On this, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said, "As you are not allowing us to discuss the issue, we are leaving the House now.
Earlier, arguing for admission of the motion for a
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.
In support of his adjournment motion, AIUDF MLA Hafiz Bashir Ahmed said thousands of people were rendered landless and homeless as the government has failed to protect the Indian citizens.
"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?"
Presenting the official stand, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the government also has a humanitarian view, but it cannot allow any encroachment to happen irrespective of religion, caste and creed.
"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.
