KOKRAJHAR, JUNE 16: The government of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) held a high-level joint meeting at BTC Secretariat, Bodofa Nwgwr in Kokrajhar on Monday to address growing public concerns about the proposed Adani Thermal Power Project at Bashbari in Parbatjhora subdivision of Kokrajhar district.
The meeting has been emphasizing to find out ways for solution of Bashbari land row which is worsening day by day, the CEM of BTC Pramod Boro chaired a joint meeting between the officials of BTC, District Commissioner, District Police administration, Circle Officer and the representatives of the BJP and the ABSU at the conference hall of BTC Secretariat. President Dipen Boro and general secretary-Khanindra Basumatary led the ABSU representatives.
The meeting discussed at length over the imbroglio of Bashbari where the BTR government has decided to allot 3,400 bighas of land to APDCL for setting up thermal power plant by Adani Group of companies at Bashbari, an inhabitant area of Boro, Garo and Rabha tribes. Local people have been vehemently opposing the allotment of land to Adani through APDCL and they have fear in mind that they would be forcefully evicted anytime soon. The situation in the area is worsening as public outrage is continuing. Recently, there had been scuffle between the local villagers and police when the police team went to demarcate the boundary of proposed site. The situation becomes more complicated after different wings of the opposition parties are campaigning against land allotment.
Now, the land issue of Bashbari becomes a battle ground between the ruling UPPL vs opposition BPF and Congress. Most of the local villagers are in confused state while some BPF senior leaders are also in favour of setting up of big industries for job opportunities for local people.
BPF MLA and vice president of the party Rabiram Narzary has been vical for setting ip of thermal power plant for job engagement to local people while all wings of the BPF are going against the power industry.
CEM of BTC Pramod Boro while talking to media persons after the end of the joint meeting said- “No agriculture land, revenue land, private properties of Bashbari would be taken for power industry and they would not be evicted. He said once the thermal power plant worth Rs. 18,000 crores becomes operational, at least 8,000 to 10,000 youths of the locality would be benefitted directly or indirectly”. He said no one will lose their lands and no violence will take place as the government of BTR ensures peaceful solution. He also made it clear that no private land would be encroached or taken forcefully as they have no target to harrass indigenous people.
Meanwhile, ABSU president Dipen said, " Today there had been a meeting between the BTC leaders, DC, SP, Circle Officer, and representatives of APDCL and ABSU was held at BTC Secretariat conference hall for over one and half hour to discuss the present crisis in Bashbari. The public grievances, emotions, and sentiments of people of Bashbari was discussed elaborately. He said the satellite map of the proposed site had been surveyed for the four times, and the satellite map is prepared. He also said no paddy field, private properties would be affected in the proposed industry.
"Our stand is clear, we never allow projects affecting local people and we have come clear that there would not be any impact. The APDCL has ensured to set up thermal power plant using latest technology to avoid air pollution, water pollution etc", he added. He also said there would be MoS between the APDCL, Adani Group and BTR government to ensure job opportunities to local people and they assured job and engagement to locals. The proposed site will begin from 1,500 metres to 200 metres away from the villages. No village would be encroached or evicted, he added.
Boro said local people want industry while some vested political interest are opposing and instigating the local villagers but the villagers have just fear in mind whether their paddy fields, properties will go to industry. He clarified that there was no reason to fear. The BTR is giving allotment of 3,400 bighas of land to APDCL while the later will lease out the land to Adani Group to set up power plant, he said.
When asked as to why big industries keep an eye only in tribal lands to set up industries, Boro said the industries are needed for economic development for all but at the same time the government should ensure protection of tribal land under Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886 and amended in 1948.
On the issue of NTPC and BRPL's minimal job to local people, ABSU president said they will not compromise on the job commitment and they will raise it's voice continuously.
