TEZPUR, Aug 8 - Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika has urged both Hindus and Muslims living in the region to maintain peace and harmony, during a visit to the trouble-torn Garuduba-Bhorasingri area under Thelamara PS in Sonitpur district.
Briefing the media, Hazarika said everybody having obligation towards the nation and the region as an Assamese or as an Indian must take a bold stand against forces trying to create an unpleasant environment for their vested interests.
Referring to a recent incident of attack on local people by illegal settlers, he urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take necessary measures for the protection of the historic Hara-Gouri Temple in Suti Pahar and recover its land from encroachment by suspected illegal Bangladeshis, and restore its dignity and heritage.
�A planned conspiracy by a section of people is on to harm the interests of the indigenous people. There are many government plots of land in Sonitpur district and a section is trying to grab those government lands to settle illegal foreign nationals for their vested interests. If we check the voters� list, a maximum of them will be detected as illegal citizens,� he said.
Hazarika, who has been vocal against illegal settlers in government lands and char areas, referred to the recent Chowkighat incident under Jamuguri police outpost in Sootea.
He said that as per the notification of the high court, the illegal settlers have been evicted from the area. He said he would urge the Sonitpur district administration and the Government of Assam to conduct an eviction drive against illegal settlers on government land in the district.
Urging the people to stand united for the protection of land of the indigenous people, he said that the BJP government was always in favour of protection of land and property of the indigenous people. Hazarika was accompanied by Sonitpur district BJP former president Dr Birendra Kumar Nath, local MLA Ganesh Limbu and other leaders.
Tezpur MP Pallab Lochan Das had also visited the area to take stock of the situation. The district administration with Assam Police, CRPF and army staged a flag march in the area.
