Assam Forest Department Prepares for Eviction Drive in Negheribil
Eviction Preparations Underway in Negheribil
Assam Forest Dept & the Golaghat district admin begins ground-level preparations for eviction drive at No. 2 Negheribil
Golaghat, May 28: The Assam Forest Department, along with the Golaghat district administration, has initiated preparations for a new eviction operation at No. 2 Negheribil in Merapani, located within the Doyang Reserve Forest near the Assam-Nagaland border.
On Thursday, Special Chief Secretary M.K. Yadav conducted an on-site inspection, accompanied by senior officials from the Forest Department, district administration, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local law enforcement.
To monitor the situation, drone surveillance was employed to determine if any new constructions had emerged since the last eviction effort.
Yadav informed reporters, "Previously, we executed an eviction drive in this area, clearing approximately 55 hectares of land. Currently, 59 households reside here, all of whom have sought legal protection against eviction. The court has mandated that proper notice must be given before any eviction can occur."
The eviction process is now pending a new directive from the Gauhati High Court. After receiving notices, the 59 families filed another petition, which is currently under judicial review.
A stay order is in effect, preventing the demolition of structures that were removed during the last operation until a final decision is reached.
Yadav stated, "We will act according to whatever ruling the High Court provides. Today, we also utilized drones to verify if any new homes have been built."
This ongoing situation is part of a lengthy legal and administrative struggle. In August 2025, the Forest Department initiated a significant eviction drive at Negheribil, targeting 205 families accused of encroaching on protected forest land.
In the initial phase, 146 households were removed, reclaiming over 50 hectares of reserve forest land.
The remaining 59 families appealed to the Gauhati High Court, and the case eventually reached the Supreme Court of India, which ruled in favor of the Assam Forest Department on February 10, 2026.
Following the Supreme Court's order, the Golaghat Forest Division issued new eviction notices to the 59 families at No. 2 Negheribil on February 21, instructing them to vacate within seven days.
Notices were also delivered to 11 families at Uriamghat, with CRPF and local police present. However, these families sought intervention from the High Court again, leading to the current stay.
Officials assessed the ground situation on Thursday and evaluated areas earmarked for the upcoming eviction process. Depending on the court's guidance, the operation is anticipated to commence in early June.
The Negheribil area has long been embroiled in allegations of extensive illegal encroachment on designated forest land, and Thursday's inspection indicates that the administration is ready to act promptly once judicial approval is secured.