Guwahati: Crews are dumping mud and water into the historic Ashokastami Mela Maidan in Dhubri. A local news report triggered the backlash after showing pipes pumping silt from the nearby Gadadhar river directly into the low-lying fairground. The site sits well below the main road and often suffers from heavy waterlogging.
Biplab Paul, general secretary of the Ashokastami Mela Maidan Committee, defends the work as a fix for drainage issues. He claims the goal is making the venue accessible for cultural events and public gatherings. Workers used a motor and plastic pipes to spread the river silt across the uneven terrain.
The committee insists the project follows protocol. Paul claims they secured verbal permission from the Divisional Forest Office and the Forest Range Officer of the Dhubri Division. He dismissed rumors that the land is being prepped for private profit. "This is a space meant for the community, cultural harmony and public welfare—not for any single private beneficiary," Paul said.
The committee now worries the news coverage unfairly targets forest officials and organizers. They are calling for residents and reporters to check the facts. The team maintains the project remains focused on public service.
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