Rakibul Hussain and Congress leaders at the press meet in Dhubri
Dhubri, Nov 10: Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain on Monday reaffirmed that the Congress would always stand by people displaced by eviction drives, strongly criticising the recent eviction at Alamganj and demanding immediate relief, shelter and alternative land for the affected families.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Dhubri, Hussain described the eviction as inhuman, alleging that poor families, including young children, had been forced to spend the winter under the open sky. He said the government must immediately arrange food and shelter for the displaced, asserting that ensuring two meals a day for the poor was among its most fundamental responsibilities.
Explaining the Congress’s position, the MP said families without land of their own should be provided alternative land in accordance with government policy. Even where eviction was unavoidable, he maintained, people should not be displaced without first making arrangements for alternative land.
He referred to a memorandum already submitted to the District Commissioner by a Congress delegation led by Leader of Opposition Wazed Ali Choudhury.
Hussain alleged that the interests of the Adani group were linked to the Alamganj eviction and claimed that the process was aimed at clearing poor families to facilitate the transfer of land to the corporate group. He alleged that the process had begun during the eviction drive in Bilasipara. Raising questions over the transfer of community land, he also sought clarification on whether stakeholders had been formally informed and proper meetings held in accordance with prescribed procedures.
The MP questioned the role of the District Commissioner, alleging that the officer had been brought back to Dhubri after being transferred during the election period with the intention of carrying out eviction operations. He also pointed out that cases filed by some affected families were still pending before courts and urged legal professionals to consider the ground realities while respecting the judicial process.
Highlighting the plight of families rendered landless by river erosion, Hussain said the government must adopt a humanitarian approach towards them. Eviction alone could not be considered the government’s responsibility, he said, adding that rehabilitation and livelihood support must also be ensured. He expressed concern over the disruption of children’s education following the eviction.
Calling upon the Chief Minister to stop the ongoing eviction drives in the district, Hussain said that wherever eviction was necessary, alternative land should be arranged beforehand.
The MP also raised the issue of riverbank erosion, stating that although erosion was a State subject, a permanent solution would not be possible without the cooperation of the Central government. He said he had raised the Brahmaputra erosion issue in the Lok Sabha and urged the Speaker to send an all-party delegation comprising experts to Dhubri to assess the situation.
Wazed Ali Choudhury, Gauripur MLA Abdus Sobahan Ali Sarkar and other Congress leaders were present at the press conference.