'HC has allowed Assam govt's prayer to suspend eviction drive'

The Assam government today claimed that the Gauhati High Court had allowed its prayer to suspend the ongoing eviction of residential areas inside the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary, but asked it to continue with the drive against commercial structures.
The eviction drive was launched for clearing forest land from encroachers as per the directions of the high court.
"Upon hearing the submissions of the additional advocate general, the chief justice allowed the government to suspend the eviction drive, but directed it to continue with the same against commercial establishments," the Assam government said in a release.
As per Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's direction, Additional Advocate General Devajit Saikia today made a verbal submission before Chief Justice Ajit Singh regarding the suspension of the eviction drive at the wildlife sanctuary, it added.

"The chief justice also directed the Assam government to submit an affidavit on the same in the court, before it adjourned for the day," the release said.
Saikia informed the court that as the school examinations were going on and the winter was intensifying, the government had to think over the eviction drive.

"The chief minister is also considering the issue of rehabilitation of the evicted people and finalisation of modalities for this would take some time," he added.
The eviction drive to clear alleged encroachments from the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary here was carried out for the third day today amidst protests by the opposition parties and the affected people.

Normal life was disrupted today in various districts, due to a 12-hour bandh called by a body of tribal groups to protest the eviction drive.