PASIGHAT : The East Siang district administration (DA) on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of the Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK), Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang (BBYK), Bogong Banggo Land Action Committee (BBLAC) and All Bogong Students’ Union (ABSU) to deliberate on land-related issues and other matters concerning Pasighat township.
The meeting, chaired by East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani at the DC’s Conference Hall, focused on resolving issues through dialogue and ensuring adherence to legal procedures.
Welcoming the participants, the DC stressed the importance of respecting all symbols of the State and urged stakeholders to conduct discussions peacefully to achieve constructive outcomes.
She informed the meeting that the district administration has been taking stringent action against encroachments on government land under the provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 2003. Over the past year, 780 notices have been issued to alleged illegal encroachers and 72 eviction drives have been conducted across Pasighat township.
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), removal of encroachments from educational institutions, and retention of the three MAUP Smart City buildings under local control.
After detailed discussions, it was decided that all land allotment proposals for 2024-25 returned by the Directorate of Land Management would be cross-verified by the respective Administrative Officers-cum-Estate Officers. Representatives nominated by BBK and BBLAC will be permitted to submit information or complaints to the concerned Estate Officers.
On the issue of encroachments, the administration reiterated that eviction drives would continue strictly in accordance with the law to ensure due process and withstand future litigation. It also assured that fresh encroachments would be removed immediately and urged BBLAC members to promptly report any new cases.
Regarding 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, including panchayat representatives and leaders of community-based organisations. Approval from the state government is still awaited.
The meeting also resolved to accord top priority to the eviction of illegal encroachers from educational institutions.
The Deputy Director of School Education and the concerned Block Education Officers were directed to issue eviction notices to all encroachers within seven days of issuance of the meeting minutes.
On the three MAUP Smart City buildings at Pasighat Market, the district administration clarified that overall control of the buildings would remain with the administration. It also dispelled concerns over allotment by private parties, stating that shops would be allotted with special consideration for enterprising local youth of East Siang district, including members of the Bogong Banggo community. Guidelines and standard operating procedures for allotment will be framed in due course.
East Siang Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba appealed to all stakeholders to resolve differences through dialogue and refrain from violence. He assured that the police would work in close coordination with the district administration to deal strictly with habitual encroachers and offenders in accordance with the law.
The meeting concluded with all stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace, harmony and orderly development in Pasighat township. (DIPR)
