Guwahati: Over 70 children whose dreams were to take the next HSLC and HS tests in 2023 were nearly dashed by the recent eviction campaign to remove the illegally encroached railway lands from the Digboi’s Bogapani area.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) conducted the drive at the railway lands in Bogapani on Wednesday.
Students taking the HSLC and HS exams went on a hunger strike in front of the Bogapani local train station on Saturday. They demanded electricity, a conducive setting for learning as well as other amenities like fooding.
The youngsters have pleaded with the state administration for quick assistance after claiming to be homeless.
A student of HS second year student said, “We lost our home and now we are homeless, we are unable to study. I will be appearing for my HS examination on February 20. State government should take immediate step and arrange us an environment to study.”
An All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leader lambasted the state government for failing to provide food and shelter after NFR conducted an eviction campaign at Bogapani last Wednesday.
“Not a single official from the administration has visited us after the eviction drive. Students are not getting a proper environment to prepare for the upcoming HSLC and HS examinations. As of now, they are being rehabilitated at an auditorium under the village panchayat, but, that is not fruitful. There are more than 70 students inside the auditorium,” said the AASU leader.
It is important to note that on Wednesday morning, tensions rose in the Bogapani community of Digboi police station of Tinsukia district when it was reported that security forces had lathi-charged local villagers who had tried to halt an eviction drive by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
According to reports, numerous locals were injured during the altercation with the security personnel and police.
However, the Digboi police claimed that no one was injured during the clash.
Officer in charge, Digboi police station, Debayajyoti Dutta told, “There was no lathi-charge incident, but, we had to push back the protesters as they tried to block the eviction drive by the NFR. There were no injuries at all. NFR is carrying out an electrification work covering Bogapani railway station to Makum railway station in the first phase.”
The police official further stated that in the second phase the electrification work will cover upto Ledu railway station.
“More than 200 residents including some shops will be evicted in the NFR eviction drive at Bogapani locality,” added the officer in charge.
Meanwhile, NFR CPRO, Sabyasachi De said, “Eviction drives at railway lands will continue until 100% the lands is free from encroachment. Moreover, electrification work is being carried out throughout NFR as a part of the developmental works. Since encroachment in the railway land is crime itself and thus, such drives will be carried out in the future as well.”
According to Sabyasachi, all other illegally built homes were demolished in addition to the 20 structures that had got court-issued stays.