Assam: PM to hand over land pattas to 1 lakh people on Jan 23; AJP says 'election miracle'

SIVASAGAR: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hand over land pattas to over 1 lakh families in the historic Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar of Upper Assam district in an event that is likely to be attended by around 3.5 lakh people.

Jogen Mohan, the Assam Minister of States (Independent charge) Revenue & Disaster Management, said that the PM will hand over the land pattas in front of a mega audience of around 3.5 lakh people. "There will be bike rallies, there will be cycle rallies, and many will come on foot," he said.

In a video release, Mohan said that the Prime Minister will hand over 'land pattas' to 1,06,900 families in Assam. "On that very day, pattas will be ceremonially distributed in all the 33 districts of the state and functions will be held in each and every district, where the Deputy Commissioners and other diginitaries will be present."

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"Already, we have given settlement to 2,28,000 families in Assam; when PM Modi arrives, we will hand over settlement to a further 1 lakh people, as part of his commitment to protect the jaati, maati, bheti of the indigenous peoples of Assam," Mohan further infiormed.

The PM's visit will take place amid an ongoing agitation by Msing community villagers from the Laika-Dohiya villages who are demanding rehabilitation. Takam Mising Porin Kabang (TMPK), an influential organization, has demanded the government to rehabilitate 1,480 families of Laika and Dodhiya within a month, upon failure to do which the organization would launch 'vigorous agitation.' Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the state officials to resolve the issue by January 31.

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), a new regional party in Assam, has cried "foul" over the PM's coming to Assam at an opportune moment to hand over 'pattas'.

"The granting of land pattas is a normal and regular procedure -- that has been going on since 1947. They have been stocking the land pattas for 5 years. They are saying that this is a big deal, while it is not. At the same time, there are many people who have been rendered landless by natural calamities. It is an election miracle, nothing else."

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