BISWANATH CHARIALL Sept 28 � The fishermen and farmers of an area spreading from Hawajan to Tezpur in Sonitpur district have been going through hard times since long, after the area was attached to the Kaziranga National Park.
It may be mentioned that a good number of fishermen and farmers were earning their livelihood by catching fish in this part of the river Brahmaputra and domesticating cattle in the char areas of the river. They are now prohibited by the Department of Forest from doing so.
Though the affected people have been demanding compensation from time to time from the Government of Assam, it is alleged that their demands have fallen on deaf ears. As a result, conflicts have increased between them and forest officials.
Sensation prevailed recently in the Biswanath ghat area under Biswanath Chariali PS following manhandling of ten fishermen and seizure of their boats, nets, etc., by forest guards. Protesting against the incident, the fishermen staged a demonstration in front of the Ranger�s office. The affected people demanded a permanent solution of their problem and rehabilitation.
