Assam Government Defends Eviction Drive Amid Controversy
Eviction Drive in Nagaon District
File image of an eviction drive at Lutumari Reserve Forest in Assam’s Nagaon district. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, Oct 25: The Assam government has dismissed claims made by Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, regarding the recent eviction operation at Lutumari Reserve Forest in Nagaon. Officials characterized his statements as presenting a distorted and incomplete view of the situation.
In a detailed response shared on social media, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah defended the eviction, stating it adhered to legal protocols and was not aimed at any specific religious or community group.
“This action was neither arbitrary nor targeted against any particular religion or community,” Mallabaruah emphasized.
This statement followed Rahman's concerns about the eviction of Muslim families and the alleged destruction of mosques during the operation.
On October 24, Rahman claimed that over 1,100 families were evicted within a span of two days, and that ten mosques, some over 50 years old, were demolished.
In contrast, Mallabaruah clarified that the eviction on October 17 and 18 affected 314 hectares of designated forest land and involved 563 families.
The claims made in this post present an incomplete and misleading picture of the facts. On 17–18 October 2026, eviction proceedings were carried out across 314 hectares of notified forest land in Lutumari Reserve Forest, Nagaon, involving 563 families. This was neither an arbitrary action nor one directed against any particular religion or community. The proceedings followed the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, including its order dated 10 February 2026. The petitioners had pursued their legal remedies, and their Special Leave Petitions (Civil) Nos. 28719–28723/2026 were disposed of on 2 September 2026. Notices were served well in advance. We deliberately waited for the rainy and flood season to end, recognising the difficulties that displacement can cause to families. The occupants were given time to vacate their homes and remove their belongings. The operation was conducted peacefully, without reported resistance or use of force. On behalf of the Forest Department, I must emphasise that protecting notified forest land is both a legal responsibility and an ecological necessity. The reclaimed area will be restored with indigenous forest species to regenerate wildlife habitats, particularly for elephants, and help reduce human–elephant conflict. We respect every community and understand the human difficulties involved in such proceedings. But forest protection and the rule of law cannot be selectively interpreted through a religious lens.
— Jayanta Mallabaruah (@jayanta_malla) October 25, 2026
He reiterated that the operation was conducted following Supreme Court directives, including an order from February 10, 2026.
According to Mallabaruah, the affected occupants had sought legal recourse, with their Special Leave Petitions (Civil) Nos. 28719–28723/2026 resolved on September 2, 2026.
He noted that advance notices were issued, allowing residents time to vacate and retrieve their belongings.
“We intentionally postponed the operation until after the rainy season, acknowledging the challenges that displacement poses for families,” Mallabaruah stated.
The government aims to restore the reclaimed land by planting native forest species.
As per Mallabaruah, this initiative is designed to revitalize wildlife habitats, especially for elephants, and mitigate human-elephant conflicts.
He also pointed out that the figures provided by Rahman lacked independent verification.