Assam Chief Minister Urges Against Sheltering Evicted Individuals

Chief Minister's Warning on Evictions

On Monday, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, cautioned that no individual should provide shelter to those who have been evicted. He emphasized that doing so could worsen the situation for the local population, which has seen improvements due to eviction and other measures.

Sarma asserted that the government would continue its anti-encroachment efforts to protect the 'community' as long as the public remains cooperative.

Speaking to reporters after events in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), he remarked, 'Our people are now aware. I don't believe they will offer much support.'

When asked if the evicted individuals would settle in other parts of the state, he stated that encroachers should return to their original locations, and the government has no objections to this.

He urged the public not to assist the evicted individuals, warning, 'No one should provide them refuge; otherwise, our situation, which has slightly improved due to eviction and other measures, will deteriorate again.'

Extent of Encroachment in Assam

The Chief Minister noted that approximately 2.9 million bighas (over 950,000 acres) of land in the state remain under encroachment.

He stated, 'There is still much work to be done. If people cooperate, we can achieve this and protect our 'community.'

Regarding the recent eviction drive in the Uryumghat area along the inter-state border with Nagaland, he mentioned, 'There is no Naga aggression there. The Naga people and the government have assisted us in the eviction process.'

Without naming any specific community, he accused certain encroachers of being the root cause of various issues.

Sarma remarked, 'They are troubling us by converting our forests into betel nut plantations and fish farming. Who is committing 'love jihad'? It is happening to us. Who has perpetrated 'land jihad'? It is happening to us. We should be crying, but they are shedding tears.'

Government's Stance on Evictions

The Chief Minister previously stated that over the last four years, 129,000 bighas (more than 42,500 acres) of land have been freed from encroachment, claiming that these large areas were occupied by 'illegal Bangladeshis and suspected citizens.'

On Sunday, he reiterated that the government would not evict 'any Indian or Assamese person.' Just a day earlier, he mentioned that unauthorized occupation of public land by locals is not considered encroachment.