GUWAHATI, Jan 13 - A day after the Gauhati High Court directed the State Government to maintain status quo vis-�-vis any construction activity in and around Dighalipukhuri here, the All Assam Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (AAEWA) submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro).
This was done after prominent citizens, including senior journalists and ex-servicemen, met at Dighalipukhuripaar today and discussed issues related to the construction of the Martyrs� Memorial and Park on the north bank of the water tank.
In the memorandum, the AAEWA requested the Chief Minister to allow the citizens of the State and ex-servicemen fraternity to lay wreaths on the memorial at the proposed site on the Republic Day on January 26.
The memorandum also stated that the heritage of the pond has not been damaged in any way despite the fact that Dighalipukhuri has not been notified as a heritage site.
�We, however, respect the historic value of the tank,� the memorandum, signed by Col (retd) Robin Das, AAEWA secretary, stated.
The memorandum claimed that no part of the water body has been filled up during the construction which can be verified.
�Further, the flora and fauna have not been damaged. In fact, the tank is proposed to be improved by planting trees with the advice of experts,� the memorandum stated.
It was also stated that the proposed memorial and park will further enhance the beauty of the tank. �The GMDA CEO and the GMC chairman are also members of the committee and the requisite permission has been accorded by the Government, including administrative approval,� the memorandum added.
The AAEWA also expressed its surprise as to why the objection was raised against the construction after more than five-and-a-half months.
