HT DIGITAL
GUWAHATI, JULY 22: In a shocking turn of events that has sent shivers down the spines of people, over 250 traders and 50 families in Lumding are under threat of being evicted from their land after notices served by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The residents have been asked to leave the land within 15 days to make room for the proposed double-line railway expansion project between Lumding and Tinsukia.
The abrupt notice of eviction has stirred widespread anxiety in the community, especially since many residents insist they have lived on the land for generations. One of the facilities to be evicted is a Namghar (community prayer room) that was established in 1960, according to residents who say it has been an integral component of their spiritual and cultural existence. “This is not land; it’s our life.”. We have nowhere else to go,” testified one shopkeeper, conveying the profound feeling of loss and hopelessness that many feel.
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A number of residents have testified that their families have inhabited the place since as far back as 1880, and were taken aback by the suddenness with which the eviction notice was issued, without any precursory warnings or consultations. The place consists of family residences, decades-long businesses, and institutions entrenched in the local community.
To counter the crisis, members of the Namghar committee and community leaders met with Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Samir Lohani to petition either cancellation of eviction or allotment of alternate land. There is no rehabilitation or resettlement plan as of yet for the displaced, as per railway officials.
Attempts to get relief from elected members of the assembly have yielded limited results. The local MLA Shibu Mishra was left unattended. The former MLA, Shiladitya Dev, who is currently the chairman of the Assam Linguistic Minority Board, intervened and met the DRM, appealing that the eviction drive be reconsidered.
