PASIGHAT, 6 Aug: The East Siang district administration on Wednesday held a meeting with office bearers of the Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK), Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang (BBYK), Bogong Banggo Land Action Committee (BBLAC) and All Bogong Students’ Union (ABSU) at the DC’s conference hall here to deliberate on land-related issues and other matters concerning Pasighat township.

Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani, who chaired the meeting, emphasised that all symbols of the state must be respected, and that discussions should be conducted peacefully to achieve constructive outcomes.

She informed the house that the district administration has been taking stringent action against encroachment on government land under the provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 2003. During the past one year, 780 notices have been issued to illegal encroachers and 72 eviction drives have been carried out within Pasighat township, she said.

She also invited constructive suggestions from the participating organisations to address their concerns.

 The meeting deliberated on five demands submitted by the organisations, including cross-verification of land allotment proposals for 2024-25, eviction of illegal encroachers, inclusion of BBK and BBLAC in the District Land Allotment Committee (DLAC), eviction of encroachers from educational institutions, and retention of the three MAUP smart city buildings under local control.

After detailed discussions, the meeting resolved that all land allotment proposals for 2024-25 returned by the Directorate of Land Management, Itanagar, will be cross-verified by the respective administrative officers-cum-estate officers. Designated representatives of the BBK and the BBLAC will be allowed to submit information or complaints to the estate officers concerned, and the organisations will officially nominate their representatives for the purpose.

Regarding encroachments, the district administration reiterated that eviction drives will continue strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 2003, as adherence to due legal procedure is essential to withstand future litigation.

The administration also assured that fresh encroachments would be removed immediately, while members of the BBLAC were urged to promptly report any new encroachments to the estate officers concerned.

On the demand for inclusion of BBK and BBLAC in the DLAC, the meeting was informed that the district land revenue and settlement officer had already written to the director of land management in February 2024, seeking inclusion of non-official members such as panchayat representatives and CBO heads in the committee. However, approval from the state government is still awaited.

The meeting decided that eviction of illegal encroachers from the premises of educational institutions would be accorded top priority. The DDSE and the BEOs concerned were directed to ensure that eviction notices are issued to all encroachers within seven days of issuance of the meeting’s minutes.

On the issue of the three MAUP smart city buildings at Pasighat market, the district administration clarified that the overall control of the buildings will remain with the administration. It also dispelled apprehensions regarding allotment of shops by any private party, stating that allotment would be made with special consideration for enterprising local youths of East Siang district, including members of the Bogong Banggo community. Guidelines and standard operating procedures for allotment will be framed in due course.

SP Pankaj Lamba appealed to all stakeholders to resolve differences through dialogue and refrain from any form of violence. He assured that the police would work in close coordination with the district administration to ensure that habitual encroachers and offenders are dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

The meeting concluded with a collective resolve by all stakeholders to work together in maintaining peace, harmony and orderly development in Pasighat township. (DIPRO)