THE All India Kisan Sabha, in a statement issued on September 20, has strongly condemned the killing of two farmers including a woman in Nagaon district of Assam near the Kaziranga National Park in a forced eviction drive. Anjuma Khatun and Fakhruddin have died and five farmers are seriously injured in the firing. It is the insensitive approach and total failure of the administration that led to this unfortunate incident. Hence the chief minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal must tender apology to the people. AIKS demands a judicial enquiry into the incident to identify those officials responsible for the avoidable tragedy and action against the culprits. The forcible eviction drive must be stopped at once. Proper rehabilitation and resettlement in consultation with the affected families must be ensured. State government shall provide compensation of Rs 10 lakhs and government job for one member of the family of those murdered. 

While 190 families from the village Banderdubi, 160 families from Deochurchang are being evicted there are no arrangements for their rehabilitation. Hundreds of families including new born babies and elders have moved to national highway 37 with their belongings. Farmers of 10 villages in the Kaziranga National Park area are facing the threat of eviction from the land they inhabit for generations. The majority of the villagers are Muslims and there are apprehensions that the communal prejudice of the BJP led state government is a reason for this gruesome attack on the innocent people. 

The claim of the chief minister that the eviction is done according to High court order and it will be completed despite the killing, is unacceptable and reflection of an intolerant mindset against the civilian rights. The farmers were genuine in their just demand that proper rehabilitation and suitable compensation should be provided before eviction. The chief minister should have discussed with the representatives of the action committee and ensure proper rehabilitation and compensation before carrying out forceful eviction by murdering the people.

AIKS strongly protests against the authoritarian brutality unleashed by the BJP led state government of Assam. The state unit of Kisan Sabha has organised protest demonstrations and will support the struggle of the poor farmer families who are facing miseries due to eviction.