Guwahati, Jan. 23: Senior Congress leader Kirip Chaliha today sought a judicial probe into the alleged role of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in denying local people construction rights in the Deepor Beel area of Guwahati by citing it as an eco-sensitive zone. He also alleged largescale corruption on the pretext of preserving the area.

Deepor Beel is a Ramsar site and a wildlife sanctuary as well. The site is facing a series of threats, because of encroachment and pollution.

The 63-year-old Chaliha, a former MP and member of the Assam PCC's coordination, publicity and campaign committees for the Assembly elections, said indigenous Assamese people living on myadi patta land were being denied permission by GMDA officials to construct boundary walls or residences. He said they could not purchase land even though they were very active in its conservation. He went so far as to claim that GMDA goes on denying permission while chief minister Tarun Gogoi goes on allotting land to the landless in the Deepor Beel area.

"It is highly illegal and despotic. I have drawn the attention of the chief minister towards the plight of these people. There is no rule to bar such construction or purchase of land in the area, more so when it is yet to be included in the draft master plan as an eco-sensitive zone. Who is GMDA to declare a site eco-sensitive? It is the decision of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. Therefore, I seek a judicial probe by a retired justice of the high court to look into such anomalies, contradictions and discrimination," Chaliha, known for speaking his mind and generating controversies, said

Asked why he had not taken up the matter when he was an MP, he said, "I was never consulted when I was an MP. I am coming to know about the facts now. You can criticise me but I am ashamed about what is happening in the name of conservation. Big hotels and schools are being built in the same area but local people are being denied the right to construct, sell or purchase land by citing it as an eco sensitive zone. Permission is given or rejected at the convenience of officers. There is widespread corruption on the pretext of preserving the area."

Villagers living around Deepor Beel opposed the proposal of setting up an eco-sensitive zone around Deepor Beel wildlife sanctuary at a public hearing conducted by the Committee for Defining and Demarcation of Eco-Sensitive Zones for Amsang, Pobitora and Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuaries.

They said there was no logic in declaring the 10km radius of the sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone and alleged that the government was destroying the wildlife sanctuary by using the wetland as a garbage-dumping ground. "Residents around the wetland will take the responsibility of protecting it. More than us, it is the railway broad gauge line, the airport nearby, the free flow of polluted water and dumping of garbage which is affecting Deepor Beel," Pramod Kalita, a local resident acompanying Chaliha, said.

Chaliha further said xatra people had not opposed the visit of AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi to Barpeta Xatra on December 12.

"I met the xatra people and have come to the conclusion that they had not opposed the visit. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh people could be involved. I will submit a report to the AICC in this connection," Chaliha said.

The state government and PCC said the RSS and a section of xatra people had opposed the visit, which had sparked a controversy.