Gauhati High Court: Encroachment Of Heritage Sites Related To Ahom Dynasty Going On Unabated Due To Absence Of Any Protective Steps Taken By State

The Gauhati High Court in the case XXXX v. In Re-The State of Assam and Ors observed and has asked the Assam Government in order to inform it 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 in the various locations under Digboi Forest Division.
In the present case, the court was hearing the Suo Motu PIL on the basis of a letter dated 05.04.2018 which is written by late Nilay Dutta, Senior Advocate, which pertains to the illegal mining activities which took place in the various locations under the Digboi Forest Division.
The counsel, Advocate H.K. Das appearing before the court submitted that in the process of illegal mining activities, the monuments pertaining to Ahom dynasty are also being destroyed or encroached by persons with
vested interest.
The Division bench comprising of Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Suman Shyam in the case observed and has stated that illegal encroachment of the Heritage sites which relates 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 which needs to be taken by the State
Government.
It has also been directed by the court in another PIL that the authorities to ensure that all illegal mining activities in the Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest under Digboi division area are stopped forthwith. Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration after four weeks