The Dighalipukhuri Kabarsthan plot. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

April 25: Several localities and prominent Muslim citizens have extended their support to the fight against the alleged move to construct highrises at the Dighalipukhuri Kabarsthan, one of the oldest private graveyards in the city. Residents of Machkhowa have even mooted the idea of constituting a co-ordination committee to preserve and protect the graveyard from encroachment and construction.

The citizens registered their protest following a news item published in The Telegraph yesterday about the alleged move to construct highrises at the graveyard by some of the patta-holders. Some citizens proposed that the graveyard land should be handed over to the state Wakf Board.

Sources said relatives of some of the patta-holders of the graveyard, who are now settled in different parts of the city, have decided to fight tooth and nail against any move of constructing highrises there. Social activist and secretary of NGO Abhijatri, Ediba Quddus, said residents would formally lodge a complaint with Kamrup metropolitan magistrate A.K. Absar Hazarika in the first week of May.

Quddus demanded an inquiry into the latest records available with the Ulubari revenue circle office, which shows three new names — that of Ghulam Mustafa, Ashoke Kumar Borah and Nani Gopal Goswami — as patta-holders of the Kabarsthan land. “Inclusion of new names as patta-holders has amply proved that the Kabarsthan plot has been sold out with an intention of construction,” she said.

According to original records available, there are 14 patta-holders of the Kabarsthan plot. They are Nehajaan Nessa, Rahiman Nessa, K. Bibi, Anisen Nessa, Tahfizar Rahman, Talfitar Rahman, Talmihar Rahman, Rezia Khatoon, Iftar Alam, Saukat Alam, Ismat Alam, Monowara Begum, Mohd Hamid and Mahboor Hamid.

She said residents would also file a public interest litigation (PIL) in Gauhati High Court to restrain any move of construction at the graveyard.

Locals say Ghulam Mustafa, one of the patta-holders of the plot measuring about eight bighas, recently put up bamboo walls surrounding the Kabarsthan. Despite stiff resistance, Mustafa went ahead, saying he only wanted to protect and preserve the graveyard.

Residents are apprehending construction of highrises as the plot has been sold out to two businessmen from outside the city. Since the graveyard is situated along the Dighalipukhuri, several builders are eyeing the plot either to construct residential apartments or posh market complexes.

There are more than 35 graves at the plot. Till a few months ago, there was a small hoarding put up with a clear message to protect and preserve the graveyard.

Surprisingly, the hoarding has made a sudden disappearance.