Silsako Lake (Silsako Beel) is a wetland and lake in Guwahati is situated near Hengrabari and Choy Mile. In 2008 this lake was declared a protected waterbody by the Assam government and hence any construction or settlement in around 1,800 bighas was prohibited.
The Assam government’s plan to bulldoze houses faraway from Silsako lake seems to have extremely affected the residents as there is allegation against the government of evicting the residents without prior notice. Over 250 families were expelled as per the sources. The issue has sparked widespread criticism, actually it’s that time of the year where students are busy preparing for their board exams. Not only that, the residents include many pregnant ladies, old aged and helpless people.
The residents are in chaos and stated that we have to struggle due to unknown or hidden reasons behind this action of the government. On the other hand Government is planning to clear at least the houses which is very near to the lake. The bulldozer row might look partial towards the rich because houses little away from the Silsako lake are being bulldozed but the Ginger & Ideal Hill View apartments remain untouched which is very near to the lake. Why is there a discrimination? Is it because those properties belong to well reputed companies? Earlier it was mentioned that properties 160 meters from Lake will be bulldozed but now the range has been increasing on and on to bulldoze the left and right side of the lake.
Not just hotel Ginger and Hill View apartments but along with it many other buildings which are very near to the lake have been left untouched but Govt. Officials are trying to bulldoze those areas which are away from Lake. Residents say that they are not exactly aware of the actual mission behind the bulldozer row but they deserve to get a fair explanation and compensation for what they have lost.
The local People stated that they voted for the BJP Government but the government has destroyed everything. They started from scratch and the government seems to have Kicked it back to Zero. Most of them took loans from banks and built small houses for living and raising children. The question is can the government pay those bank loans? Government may give compensation of Rs.1 to 2 lakh but how far will that meagre amount help the people. They would at least need 10 lakh each as minimum compensation to overcome.
