Guwahati, Nov. 8: Ulfa (Independent) today opposed allotment of 450 bighas to Patanjali Ayurved in Assam's Sonitpur district when the victims of flood and erosion have still not been given land.

A statement, purportedly signed by assistant publicity secretary Arunodoy Asom, asked why such a huge tract of land was allotted to the business group while the state government failed to rehabilitate indigenous people who were displaced by flood and erosion. "The decision to give land to the business group is against the interests of the indigenous people. Since they have not been rehabilitated properly, hundreds of people are living without basic amenities," said the Ulfa statement, sent to media organisations here today.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday laid the foundation stone of Patanjali Herbal and Mega Food Park at Balipara in Sonitpur district. The company will invest Rs 1,300 crore which is said to be its biggest investment so far.

"The production facility is expected to create direct employment opportunities for over 5,000 people. The park will also bring prosperity to the farmers of the region as it will benefit around 1 lakh of them," yoga guru Ramdev, who promotes Patanjali Ayurved, had said during the function. Ramdev said work on the plant, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on February 15 next year, would be carried out speedily.

Ulfa, however, slammed the politicians in the state who invited and supported the land allotment.

The plant in Balipara, about 200km from here, will have a production capacity of 10 to 12 lakh tonnes per annum.

Patanjali Trust's allotment of land at Roumari in lower Assam's Chirang district also invited protests from organisations demanding land to landless people in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts.