"CAA for foreigners, but indigenes of Laika-Dadhiya ignored": Ripun Bora slams BJP

TINSUKIA: "They have secured the rights of foreigners with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but they are turning a blind eye towards the plight of the villagers of the Laika-Dadhiya village; they have not given lad for these poor people to dwell," Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Ripun Bora said today, launching salvoes at the BJP over the deadlock with villagers of the flood-prone village seeking rehabilitation.

Slamming the ruling BJP for allegedly turning a blind eye towards the plight of "indigenous" villagers of the Laika Dadhiya village, Congress President Ripun Bora today said that the Congress will extend support to the villagers' protest if an amicable solution is not reached soon. "We will have to raise our voices if a solution is not reached by January 31," Bora stated, adding that if the Congress comes to power in 2021, the Laika-Dadhiya villagers will be given land to dwell on.

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Bora made these statements during a visit to Upper Assam's Tinsukia town, where residents of the Mishing majority village, who are demanding rehabilitation, are camped out near the Deputy Commissioner's office. The villagers of the flood-prone village seem to have reached a deadlock with the Government, as their demands for relocation have not been fulfilled thus far.

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Tensions have surfaced to the fore in Tinsukia after a woman protestor died at a makeshift camp close to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The woman was a part of a group of protestors camped in Lejaihola who hail from the flood-prone Mishing majority Laika Dadhiya village and are demanding rehabilitation from the government.

The 50-year old woman, Rebati Pegu, who joined the protestors seeking rehabilitation, fell severely ill on Tuesday. She was consequently shifted to her village after she fell ill where she breathed her last.

After this tragic incident, Government representatives have promised that the situation will be "resolved" by January 31 next.

Meanwhile, the protestors are seeking the removal of the Tinsukia DC Bhaskar Pegu and also condemned the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s inaction over the protestors despite several requests demanding rehabilitation.

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