Cultivators raise objection for construction of helipads in agricultural land for PM Modi’s visit

March 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an election rally in Karimganj district of Barak Valley in Assam on 18 March. PM Modi’s rally will be held at Bhatgram near Karimganj by-pass. As per BJP sources, three helicopters will land in the nearby field in this connection. The construction of helipads is going on at full pace. However, this has also led to a controversy and the land owners, where the helipad would be made have also raised an objection.

In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj, the land owners collectively has alleged that helipads are being constructed for landing of VIP choppers at Baghan Bhatgram Mouza in Karimganj district for election campaign. In the said letter, they alleged, “To our utter surprise we find that neither the organisers nor the local administration felt it necessary to obtain No-Objection or even opinion from the land owners. Without our consent, earth filling and metaling work has been started which will damage the land and make it unfit for cultivation.”

Finalizing @narendramodi Ji’s program venue at Karimganj along with ADGP @HardiSpeaks. Looking forward to welcome our Hon'ble Prime Minister to #BarakValley ! pic.twitter.com/FX3Xzu0IlN

— Dr Rajdeep Roy MP ( MS, MCh) (@drrajdeeproy) March 12, 2021

Saying so, the land owners stated that the construction of helipad will cause much damage to the cultivators as they will “sustain irreparable loss.” It is in this connection, that they sought the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner. Copies of the said letter were also marked to the General Observer- Karimganj, CEO Assam and CEC New Delhi.

Meanwhile, 3 out of the 13 signatories of the memorandum said to the media though they provided NOC for using their land but they were not aware of the fact that stones will be filled up and the land would be converted into helipad. They expressed apprehension that this would result in damaging the agricultural land.