Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi has criticised Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal, alleging that the minister has taken land near Zubeen Kshetra in Guwahati. Gogoi said the land must be vacated at once and warned that the people would not allow any occupation of tribal land in the area.
Akhil Gogoi made these remarks while visiting the site to pay respect to late singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg. He also inspected the nearby hilly area. Gogoi said that the land around the memorial has a tribal samadhi kshetra (memorial ground). He said this land must be kept for tribal people and cannot be taken by anyone for personal use.
Gogoi said he wanted a transparent and fair approach to the land issue. “If there is land occupied or owned by you at or near Zubeen Kshetra, brother, leave that land or else we will occupy your land,” he said. He also added that he would not allow any minister or powerful person to buy or occupy land in the area. He urged that political leaders must remain honest and should not say one thing in public and do something else privately. 
Gogoi further claimed that Ashok Singhal is an “outsider” who has been interested in acquiring land in Assam and building properties. He said that Singhal’s position as a cabinet minister has given him power, and that power should not be used to take land meant for tribal communities. Gogoi also said that this matter is not about party or identity but about protecting the rights of tribal people. He warned that anyone who tries to take land in the protected belt will be opposed and removed, no matter who they are.
He said the area near Zubeen Kshetra should be kept for public use, especially for building a proper space to honour Zubeen Garg and for protecting tribal heritage. “We want this land to remain with the people. We want space for the memorial ground and for the public. This land should not go to private hands,” Gogoi said.
