3 days ago
Ahom Sena & Jaya Bahini protest encroachment across historical sites in Sivasagar
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Dibrugarh: Ahom Sena and Jaya Bahini members on Wednesday took out a demonstration at Dolmukh Chariali in Sivasagar town, demanding immediate action to clear encroachments and restore Jamuna Lake, an Ahom-era waterbody, which has been drowning in garbage and neglect.
The demonstrators also called for removal of illegal constructions around the iconic Talatal Ghar and revival of Rupohijan, a critical waterbody near Rang Ghar.
Built during the Ahom rule, the Jamuna Lake was once a pristine water source and a symbol of the kingdom's advanced hydraulic engineering. However, currently it is choked with plastic waste and has been shrinking continuously due to illegal encroachments and garbage dumping.
"Jamuna Lake has become a victim of our collective apathy. What was once a symbol of Ahom engineering prowess and environmental consciousness has been reduced to a stagnant pool of waste. There has been rampant encroachment of the lake. We demand strict action against encroachers and scientific preservation to restore the site to its former glory. If the govt doesn't act now, we will lose it forever," Ahom Sena's Sivasagar unit secretary Ayush Anjan Gogoi said.
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The protesters also raised alarms over encroachments near the Talatal Ghar, a three-storied underground palace and military base built by Ahom king Rajeswar Singha.
"Talatal Ghar is an engineering marvel, but encroachments are suffocating it. The govt must reclaim the buffer zone before irreversible damage occurs," Gogoi said.
The protesters also highlighted problems affecting Rupohijan, a vast waterbody situated near the iconic Rang Ghar.
This amphitheatre, often called Asia's first colosseum, was built in the 18th century as a royal sports pavilion, where Ahom kings witnessed traditional games like buffalo fights and bird fights. The two-storied octagonal structure, constructed entirely of brick and organic cement, showcases the sophisticated architectural techniques of the Ahom period.
"Even a single downpour now results in severe waterlogging around Rang Ghar because Rupohijan can no longer absorb excess water.
The waterbody has become shallow due to encroachment and siltation, compromising its natural drainage function," Jaya Bahini member Minakshi Neog said.
The protestors called upon the authorities to take immediate action, including comprehensive surveys to identify encroachments, scientific restoration of degraded water bodies and implementation of strict protective measures around these heritage sites.
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