Assam Government Intensifies Eviction Drives Targeting Illegal Encroachments

The Assam government is ramping up eviction drives targeting illegal encroachments on government land, particularly by immigrants. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced operations in various districts, including Nagaon and Goalpara, amidst political controversy. The government claims these actions are necessary for development and conservation, while opposition parties accuse it of targeting marginalized communities. As preparations unfold, tensions rise in the affected areas, with many families beginning to dismantle their homes voluntarily. The eviction efforts also aim to address rising human-elephant conflicts in protected forest areas. This situation continues to evolve as the government insists on the legality and necessity of these operations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2025, 18:46 IST

Eviction Drives Across Assam

Guwahati, July 7: On Monday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reaffirmed the state's dedication to ramping up eviction efforts aimed at removing encroachments on government properties, which are reportedly occupied by illegal immigrants.

According to the Chief Minister, upcoming eviction operations are set for Nagaon, Goalpara, and Dhubri.

While attending an event in Kokrajhar, Sarma declared, “The BJP will initiate eviction actions in Chapar tomorrow, Dhing on July 12, and Goalpara on July 10. Our efforts cannot be halted. We will remove Bangladeshi nationals.”

He criticized the Congress party for allegedly politicizing the situation, stating, “Their focus is not on protecting the rights of Assamese citizens but rather on defending illegal immigrants. Individuals from Karimganj, Silchar, Dhubri, and other areas have encroached on land in Lakhimpur, and Congress seeks to justify this.”

Preparations are also in progress in Bilasipara, Dhubri district, where an eviction operation is scheduled for July 8, targeting areas such as Santoshpur, Charuwabakhra, and Chirakuta.

A significant police presence has been established in Tilapara and Santoshpur to ensure public safety. The administration has deployed bulldozers and backhoe loaders in anticipation of potential resistance.

The land being cleared, approximately 4,000 bighas, is designated for a planned thermal power project.

The Assam government has already conducted surveys of the site, with Chief Minister Sarma personally visiting the location twice.

Jeet Adani, a Director of the Adani Group, who is expected to be involved in the project, has also visited the site.

As eviction notices were distributed, several families reportedly began voluntarily dismantling their homes, marking a poignant conclusion to their long-standing settlements.

Residents in the area began taking down their homes in Dhubri (Photo)

In the protected forest area of Krishnai Paikan in Goalpara, eviction notices have been issued to around 1,080 families occupying approximately 1,038 bighas of land.

The eviction process is set to commence after July 10, aiming to alleviate the increasing human-elephant conflicts in the area.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tejas Mariswamy informed the media that nearly 40% of the residents have already vacated voluntarily.

“Following July 10, we will proceed with the eviction of the remaining families. This initiative is part of our broader conservation efforts. We intend to restore the forest through a bamboo plantation project immediately after the operation,” Mariswamy stated.

Evictions in Goalpara's Paikan Forest aim to address human-elephant conflicts (Photo)

In the Dhing area of Nagaon district, notices have been issued to individuals encroaching on government land in Alitangani Mouza.

The Circle Officer, in a notice dated July 5, instructed residents to vacate the area within seven days or face eviction under legal provisions.

While the government asserts that all legal protocols are being adhered to and that the operations are being conducted peacefully, these eviction drives have ignited both concern and political debate.

Notice issued by the Dhing Circle Officer's office (Photo)

The opposition has accused the state government of targeting marginalized communities under the pretext of development and conservation.

As Assam prepares for these operations, tensions are rising in the affected areas, even as the administration maintains that these actions are essential and unavoidable.