Guwahati HC concerned by uncontrolled encroachment of Ahom Dynasty heritage sites

The Gauhati High Court has requested the Assam Government to provide information regarding its readiness to develop a comprehensive plan for safeguarding the monuments associated with the Ahom dynasty, including the coal mines situated in different locations under the Digboi Forest Division.

The court was addressing a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) based on a letter dated April 5, 2018, written by the late Nilay Dutta, a Senior Advocate, which highlighted the unlawful mining operations occurring in various areas under the Digboi Forest Division.

Advocate H.K. Das, representing the Gauhati High Court, stated that the unlawful mining activities were not only causing environmental damage but were also resulting in the destruction and encroachment upon the historical monuments linked to the Ahom dynasty by individuals with vested interests.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Suman Shyam of the Gauhati High Court have made preliminary observations suggesting that the illegal encroachment upon the Heritage sites associated with the Ahom Dynasty, including those of Chaolung Sukapha who is considered the founder of the Ahom kingdom, “is going on unabated due to the absence of any protective steps taken by the State Government.”

In a separate Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Court has directed the concerned authorities to take immediate action to halt all illegal mining activities within the Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest located in the Digboi division area.

The case is scheduled for further hearing after a period of four weeks.