The Assam government plans to relocate the 10th Assam Police Battalion from the city centre to the outskirts, on land recently cleared during a controversial eviction drive, officials confirmed on Thursday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the site at Kachutali in Sonapur revenue circle, Kamrup Metropolitan district, on Wednesday to review the area. The move aims to safeguard the land from future encroachment.
"The area has been shortlisted for a proposed relocation of the 10th APBN. This area falls under the tribal belt and block, where only government projects can be developed," a senior official informed.
The official added that around 100 bighas (over 33 acres) will be required for the battalion. The remaining part of the roughly 1,000 bighas (over 330 acres) cleared during the eviction will enhance the facility's surroundings.
"The government will ensure all necessary arrangements and amenities are provided to enable the battalion to function effectively and fulfil its mandate," the official said.
The eviction drive in September last year aimed to clear approximately 1,050 bighas (over 347 acres) of land but turned violent. Villagers allegedly attacked officials and police personnel, resulting in police opening fire. Two protesters died, and nearly 40 people, including 22 officials and policemen, were injured.
After visiting the site for the first time since the eviction, Sarma stated that non-tribals residing in the area prior to the declaration of the tribal belt and block may continue to stay, but no new non-tribal settlements will be allowed.
"So, we have to send those coming after the formation of the tribal belt and block. We had carried out an eviction drive on around 1,000 bighas of land. However, some land brokers are there, and they call back all the evicted people again for settlement on the same land. So, we have decided to arrest those land brokers under the NSA," he said.
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Sarma further asserted the government's plan to establish a police battalion to protect the land against future encroachment.
"We will also think about how to utilise the remaining land for public good. We may think of constructing a medical college or university. We may also give allotment to tribal landless people," he added.
The chief minister expressed hope that construction on the battalion's new site would begin within six months and take around three years to complete.
Addressing the issue of evicted residents yet to vacate, Sarma noted that some were taking shelter near a mosque.
"The common people want to leave, but the land brokers call them again and again. However, they will now know that the government is strict and will not allow anyone to settle here. If these people are Indian citizens and actually landless, then we can allot them land in their respective original places," he said.
Currently, the 10th APBN is stationed near the 4th APBN in Kahilipara, about five kilometres from the secretariat in Dispur. The government has not disclosed its plans for the vacant land once the battalion relocates to Sonapur.
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