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Assam bandh against eviction total

By Barun Das Gupta

GUWAHATI June 15. The encroachers on thousands of acres of reserved forestland in Assam today asserted their ``right'' to violate the law by imposing a 12-hour bandh against the ongoing eviction drive.

The bandh was total. A few autorickshaw drivers, who ignored the call and dared to go to those areas where the eviction had taken place, were beaten up and their vehicles smashed.

Forest department officials, requesting anonymity, said that among the encroachers of the land in and around Guwahati, were political heavyweights and top bureaucrats.

According to them, yesterday's announcement by the Forest Minister, Pradyut Bardoloi, that the eviction would be ``reviewed'' in view of the ensuing monsoon and floods, actually meant it was being called off. The officials fear the ``review'' would encourage further encroachment.At this rate, in about 20 years' time, Assam would be totally denuded of its forest cover, they added.

PTI reports:

Though Government offices remained opened, attendance was stated to be thin, while all private offices, banks and business establishments were closed. Schools remained closed and colleges were on summer vacation. Markets and shops downed their shutters. Private vehicles kept off the roads; the Assam State Transport Corporation maintained a skeleton city and long distance bus service, while all flights and trains operated normally.

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