All Assam Students Union leader demands eviction of encroachments from historic Jamuna water bodies in Sivasagar

The president of the All Tai Ahom Student Union (ATASU), Basanta Gogoi, on June 29 addressed a press conference in Sivasagar, reiterating the organisation's long-standing demand for the removal of encroachments from the historic Jamuna water bodies and their proper restoration and beautification.

 

Gogoi acknowledged that the cleaning and restoration work of the historic Jamuna water bodies is currently underway and thanked MLA Akhil Gogoi for initiating the effort. However, he also strongly criticised both the Sivasagar district administration and the legislator, alleging that the issue of encroachment had been sidelined before the restoration work began.

 

According to Basanta Gogoi, ATASU's primary demand has always been to make the historic Jamuna water bodies free from encroachments before undertaking beautification or restoration works.

 

Referring to the ongoing restoration project, reportedly being carried out at a cost of more than Rs 9 crore, Gogoi questioned whether the work was being executed for the benefit of contractors rather than in the larger public interest.

 

He further alleged that ignoring the encroachment issue for electoral considerations was unacceptable and said such an approach would not be accepted by ATASU.

 

Basanta Gogoi asserted that the organisation would fully support the district administration and the MLA if concrete steps were taken to evict encroachers. He also warned that ATASU would not compromise on its demand to free the historic Jamuna water bodies from encroachment.