Gauhati High Court pulls up State for failing to curb encroachment of heritage sites related to Ahom dynasty

The Gauhati High Court recently criticised the State government for failing to act against the unabated encroachment of heritage sites in Assam, particularly those related to the Ahom dynasty..The Court observed that such illegal encroachment was continuing due to the State government's apathy when it came to tackling illegal mining and encroachment of forests.."It prima facie appears to us that illegal encroachment of the Heritage sites related to the Ahom Dynasty including those of Chaolung Sukapha, the father of Ahom kingdom, is going on unabated due to the absence of any protective steps taken by the State Government," the Court observed, in an order passed last week..Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Suman Shyam proceeded to ask Assam Advocate General (AG) General Devajit Saikia to get instructions within four weeks on whether the State government is prepared to come up with a comprehensive plan to address the issue. ."Mr. D. Saikia, learned Advocate General of Assam is requested to obtain instructions and apprise this Court on the next date fixed as to whether, the State is prepared to come up with a comprehensive plan for protection of the monuments pertaining to Ahom dynasty, including the coal mines," the Court said. .The Court was hearing a batch of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions, including a suo motu PIL, concerning illegal mining activities taking place in the forests of Upper Assam's Digboi division. The counsel for the High Court, advocate HK Das, submitted that monuments relating to the Ahom dynasty were being 'destroyed' and encroached upon by persons with vested interests. .In an earlier order passed in April this year, the High Court had asked the State government and government-run Coal India to ensure that mining activities are halted at reserve forests in Digboi..The Assam AG was assisted by advocate R Barua in the matter. Advocate B Choudhury represented the Forest Department. Additional Senior Government Advocate M Bhattacharjee represented the State of Assam. Senior Advocate MZ Ahmed with advocate AM Dutta represented Coal India Limited..[Read order]