In a significant development, the Gauhati High Court has issued a directive for compensating residents affected by the demolition of their homes in Nagaon, stemming from a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed in 2022. The case, registered as PIL (Suo Moto)/3/2022, sheds light on the distress faced by individuals impacted by the demolition drive carried out by the Assam government.
The court proceedings unveiled a harrowing account of events, including the alleged custodial death of fish trader Safikul Islam on May 20, 2022. His family accused the police of demanding a bribe of Rs.10,000 and a duck for his release, further exacerbating tensions within the community.
During the hearing, the court acknowledged the circumstances surrounding Safiqul Islam’s demise, noting that a dispute had erupted, leading to a gathering at the police station and subsequent demolition of homes by authorities.
Following the court’s intervention, the Assam home department has announced compensation measures, with affected residents of pucca (brick-built) houses set to receive Rs.10 lakh each, while those residing in kutcha (non-brick) houses will be granted Rs 2.5 lakh.
Furthermore, the Finance Department has been given a week’s time to provide clarity on the timeline for disbursing the compensation.