CHITTA MOHAN BORA Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is purported to have been filed by two individuals claiming themselves to be social activities. The controversy centers around settlement of village Grazing Reserves in favour of respondents and others who incidentally belong to minority community. The petitioners are aggrieved by the proposals submitted by Respondent Nos. 4 to 6 to de-reserve major portions of two Grazing Reserves, namely, Mowamari Grazing Reserve and Brahma Beel or Barama Beel Grazing Reserve in Samaguri Circle in the district ofNagaon.

(2.) The case set up by the petitioners is that there are number of villages surrounding the said two Grazing Reserves which are meant for use by the villagers to graze their cattle and other livestock and also to maintain open space for the protection of environment and ecology. The fishery within the Barama Beel Reserve Forest according to the petitioners produces huge quantify of fish.

(3.) According to the petitioners on 19.09.2004 a public meeting was held at village Barama in Mouza Rongagora in Samaguri Circle, which was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, in which the Revenue Minister and the Minister of State for Home and Political Affairs, who happens to be the local MLA were also present amongst others. There was a demand of settlement of land in the two village Grazing Reserves by the people who are in occupation of the same and in response to said demand the Revenue Minister is stated to have declared that the demand made by the people would be considered and accordingly directed the Circle Officer to submit proposal for de-reservation and allotment of land in favour of the persons in possession thereof.