The Struggles of Ramen Barman: A Fight for Land Rights and Recovery

Ramen Barman's Ongoing Battle for Land Rights

Guwahati, July 4: Ramen Barman, like many others, participated in the protest at Dispur on June 22, 2011, hoping the State government would acknowledge his plea for a land patta for his eksonia land in the Lalmamti area.

However, that day took a tragic turn when a police bullet intended to disperse the crowd struck his left leg. Fourteen years have elapsed since that incident, yet Ramen's aspiration for a land patta for his one katha and five lessa plot remains unfulfilled.

This indigenous Assamese man from Rampur village in Nalbari district has endured a long recovery journey from the bullet wound. Although his leg has shown considerable improvement due to ongoing medical care, he still experiences pain that prevents him from walking quickly or running. Financial constraints have left him unable to remove the metal rod that was surgically placed in his leg.

“I lost my parents at a young age and had to stop my education after Class IX due to financial difficulties. I moved to Guwahati seeking work and became a motor mechanic. In 2007, I bought the eksonia land in Lalmati for Rs 70,000 and built a small house. However, in 2011, the government demolished my home during an eviction drive. This prompted me to join the land patta movement, but I ended up with a bullet wound instead of a solution,” shared the 50-year-old Ramen.

Following the shooting incident, Ramen returned to Lalmati with his family and rebuilt a house on the same land, where he currently resides with his wife and two sons. The fear of another eviction looms over them, as he still lacks a patta for the land despite numerous attempts. As the family's sole provider, he operates a small motor garage in Beltola.

“My wife and I have faced immense challenges in securing the land patta. Officials at the circle office have informed us that we are ineligible to apply for it, yet we are required to pay taxes on the land we occupy. As an indigenous person of Assam, I hope the State government will address my situation. I have no other land,” he expressed.

In 2017, the State government provided him with a one-time financial aid of Rs 25,000, but he has received no further assistance. Although he qualifies for a Unique Disability ID, he has yet to obtain one due to the reluctance of officials to issue the necessary report acknowledging his disability.

By

Manash Pratim Dutta