GUWAHATI, Jan 7- Assam is turning into a dumping ground for the neighbouring states to dump their unwanted persons, observed former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in the State Assembly today.
Raising the issue of encroachment of Assam's land by the neighbouring states during the Zero Hour, Mahanta said that the neighbouring states have developed a habit of dumping suspected nationals caught within their territories in Assam.
He referred to the recent clashes along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border areas in Lakhimpur district and said that the Assam Government must adopt a tough stand on the matter. He also said that the State Government has been forced to spend huge amounts of money in posting security personnel along the inter state boundary areas and pointed out that no other state in the country is facing such a problem.
Padma Hazarika (AGP) and SR Subba (Independent) said the people living in the inter-state border areas are living in constant fear. Bhupen Bora (Cong) pointed out that the neighbouring states are taking up massive development schemes in the bordering areas.
In reply, Forest minister Rockybul Hussain said the State Government is committed to protect the constitutional boundaries of Assam. He sought the cooperation of the legislators, particularly those representing the constituencies along the inter-state border areas in this regard.
The Minister in-charge of Border Areas Development, Gautam Roy said the House should adopt a resolution to increase allotment for development of border areas.
Meanwhile, in reply to a question by Pranab Kalita (Ind), Revenue minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman informed the State Assembly that Nagaland has 65,941 hectare of Assam's land, while. Meghalaya is encroaching 5,473 hectare, on 13,184 hectare, Mizoram is encroaching on 2061 hectare and West Bengal is encroaching 15 hectare of the state's land.
The minister said the Supreme Court has already constituted local commissions for resolving the disputes with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, while, the Chief Minister and the chief secretary are holding talks with the Governments of the other two NE states in this regard.
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