Farmers' body threatens to disrupt Rahul Gandhi's rally on Tuesday in Assam

GUWAHATI: RTI activist Akhil Gogoi-led farmer's body has threatened that they will not allow Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to hold his proposed rally here to protest against betrayal of indigenous people by Assam government.

"We will not allow Rahul Gandhi to enter and hold his meeting here as Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has betrayed the indigenous people of Guwahati," Akhil Gogoi, President of farmers' body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) said.

The farmer leader alleged that the state had promised to give land ownership till June 29, 2011, but now the Tarun Gogoi-led government has decided to allot land to the people coming to the city on or before June 28, 2001.

"Moreover, Tarun Gogoi has said no land will be allotted to the indigenous people in forests, hills and water bodies.

"However, as per The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, those who are using any forest land till December 13, 2005, can get land rights," Gogoi said.

He claimed that thousands of indigenous people, under the aegis of KMSS, would come to the city tomorrow and prevent a government programme to distribute land ownership certificates.

Last week, Assam Revenue Minister Prithibi Majhi had said around 62,000 people would be given land ownership in Guwahati before Lok Sabha elections and the process would start from February 24.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to come to Assam for a two-day tour from February 25. He will have a meeting with senior journalists, followed by a public rally on the first day.

In the next day, the Congress leader would hold a road show and go to Diphu in Karbi Anglong to discuss various issues of the tribal district.