Eviction Drive Displaces 1,200 Bengali Muslim Families in Assam

Mass Evictions in Sonitpur District

In a recent eviction operation in Assam's Sonitpur district, approximately 1,200 homes belonging to Bengali Muslim families were demolished. This action took place on January 5 and 6, as part of efforts to remove alleged encroachments from around 650 hectares of land within the Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the evictions were necessary to clear the area. The operation affected regions under the Tezpur Sadar and Dhekiajuli revenue circles, including localities such as Jamuktol, Arimari, Siyalichar, and others.

According to an unnamed official, the individuals targeted in the eviction had built homes and cultivated crops within the sanctuary. Many residents preemptively dismantled their homes and vacated the area, while others remained due to the harsh winter, asking for additional time to harvest their crops.

Despite pleas from the encroachers to postpone the evictions during the winter months, Sonitpur District Commissioner Ananda Kumar Das emphasized that the administration would proceed with the eviction, citing the illegal occupation of forest land.

Earlier in February, the administration had already cleared 2,099 hectares in one of the state's largest eviction drives, affecting wildlife sanctuary and surrounding villages.

Since the Bharatiya Janata Party assumed power in Assam in 2016, numerous demolition operations have been executed across various districts, predominantly impacting areas inhabited by Bengali-speaking Muslims.

On Monday, Sarma claimed that the government has successfully reclaimed nearly 1.5 lakh bighas of land through these eviction efforts, as reported by local media.

Many displaced individuals assert that their families have resided in these areas for generations, having settled there after losing their lands to erosion caused by the Brahmaputra River.

In a related incident in July, police opened fire on protesters during an eviction drive in the Betbari area of Goalpara district, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.