LAKHESWAR DEORI Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. H. R. A. Choudhury, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. M. A. Choud-hury, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of the petitioners. Also heard Mr. Dilip Mazu-mdar, learned Addl. Advocate General, Assam; Ms. N. Bordoloi, learned standing counsel, Revenue & Disaster Management Department; and Mr. R. P. Sarmah, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. M. R. Adhikari, learned counsel; appearing on behalf of their respective respondents.

(2.) The challenge in the present Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is to a Notification, dtd. 20/7/2021, issued by the Government of Assam, Revenue(Settlement and Disaster Management Department) towards including the communities mentioned therein, in the list of protected classes of persons in Sadiya Tribal Belt, in exercise of powers conferred by Regulation 160(2) of Chapter X of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 (as amended).

(3.) The petitioners, herein, have projected themselves to belong to the indigenous Scheduled Tribes of the District of Tinsukia, Assam, and being social workers; have proceeded to institute the present Public Interest Litigation (PIL), on behalf of the Scheduled Tribes and original backward classes of Sadiya Tribal Belt, against the action on the part of the respondent authorities in issuing the said Notification, dtd. 20/7/2021.