*SHANGRILA OFFICIALS RUSHING TO GHY* 27 JUNE 2011 NETV BUREAU, GUWAHATI http://www.netvindia.com/news.html
The eviction drive carried out by the government at the Lalmati- Ganeshpur area and the subsequent surfacing of an alleged conspiracy to hand over the land to multi-crore real estate builder Shangri-La Construction for construction luxury apartment has led to angry reaction among the evicted people. With the alleged conspiracy involving Sangri-La Construction and the government having hit the headlines already, high officials of the construction company are scheduled to arrive in Guwahati for talks with the high ups in Dispur.What exactly is the ulterior motive behind the eviction drive at the Lalmati- Ganeshpur area that has rendered hundreds of people, who have resided there for decades, homeless? Was it to protect the hilly forest range from encroachment or to clear the land of all the poor encroacher and then to offer the same on a platter to multi-crore real estate builders to construct luxury enclaves for the rich? The eviction drive has already rendered hundreds of poor families homeless after their shanties were savagely pulled down. Among those who became homeless were minor boy Ruhul Ali who was killed in police firing at Dispur on June 22 and Zarina Begum who was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in the area on Sunday. Both Ruhul Ali and Zarina Begum, rendered homeless by the eviction drive at Lalmati-Ganeshpur, actively protested the eviction drive and took part in all protest programmes against eviction. Meanwhile, the surfacing of the Shangrila blueprint for construction of luxury flats in the area has given to the question what exactly is the motive of the government? Is it really to protect the environment or to further the business interest of real estate builder Shangrila Construction? The Shangrila blueprint dlearly reveals that the Lalmati-Ganeshpur area where the eviction drive was carried out lies very much within the sprawling Shangrila campus. While the eviction drive in the area is alleged to be manifestation of a deep rooted sinister design on the part of the government and Shangri-La Construction, the flashing of the news has evoked serious and angry reactions.While the Shangrila luxury enclave blueprint was prepared amidst utmost secrecy, the company is now seemingly caught on the wrong foot after the news of the alleged conspiracy involving the company and the Dispur big wigs hit the media headlines. According to an informed source, several high officials of Shanfri-La are scheduled to arrive in Guwahati on June 28 fron the company’s regional office in Kolkata to discuss the issue with government officials. On the other hand, sources in Dispur have asserted that it is certainty that Shangri0La construction would begin its construction at the evicted site much sooner than later. It is not quite known as to how the government would react to future protests by the people of Lalmati-Ganeshgiri area against the alleged conspiracy of handing over the land to Shangri-La Construction. Conscious circles have expressed the fear if another Dispur mayhem is on the cards at Lalmati-Ganeshpur area. Fears have also been expressed if Zarina type of murders are also on the cards for the residents of the area. However, the question that remains unanswered is --- Is the government for the poor landless or for the multi-crore real estate builders? The answer may be sought in future deeds of the government. _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
