Eviction Drive in Assam's Goalpara District Sparks Outrage
Emotional Eviction Drive in Goalpara
On July 12, a significant eviction operation took place in Assam's Goalpara district, leading to emotional turmoil among residents as nearly 1,000 bighas of land were cleared from the Paikan Reserve Forest. This initiative is part of the state's broader effort to reclaim forest areas and mitigate the escalating human-elephant conflicts.
The operation commenced early in the morning, with heavy machinery such as bulldozers and excavators entering the forest. Officials indicated that the eviction would affect approximately 2,000 families.
As homes were demolished, the atmosphere turned chaotic and sorrowful. Many individuals were seen weeping, desperately trying to salvage their possessions.
A local resident expressed their distress, stating, "These lands were never part of the Paikan Reserve Forest until the government suddenly included them last year. We believe this is a deliberate attack on our community. At the very least, we should have received rehabilitation before losing our homes."
The emotional toll was evident, with one man, Faizal Haque, attempting to take his own life amid the destruction. Fortunately, he was rescued and taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Another resident lamented, "We may not have experienced tyranny before, but today feels like living under a dictator. We are not against the eviction itself, but we need to know where these thousands of people will go. Our basic rights are being violated, and we are barred from approaching what remains of our homes."
An elder from the community recounted the fear and despair felt by many. "An elderly man suffered a stroke upon witnessing the bulldozers approaching his home. The stress is causing illness among residents. The presence of armed personnel and machinery makes it feel like a war zone."
Despite the distress, the elder noted that eviction notices had been issued 23 days prior. "How can nearly 2,000 families find shelter in such a short time? This was a revenue village, not forest land. The government reclassified it as reserve forest solely to evict us. We urge the government to provide rehabilitation," he added.
Officials defended the eviction, with Goalpara Divisional Forest Officer Tejas Muruswamy stating that it was crucial to address the severe human-elephant conflict in the district, one of the highest in India.
"We have clear directives from the High Court. Goalpara has one of the highest rates of human-elephant conflict in the country. Clearing encroachments is vital for restoring the forest as an elephant habitat," Muruswamy explained.
"Our goal is to clear approximately 790–800 hectares now, with plans for an additional 2,000 hectares. We intend to plant bamboo trees to rejuvenate the forest and support the elephants," he added.
Deputy Commissioner Khanindra Choudhury emphasized that the operation was conducted in strict adherence to a 2022 Gauhati High Court ruling. "This area was designated as a reserve forest in 1982 and was once lush with sal trees. We provided eviction notices well in advance. While around 80 families left voluntarily, widespread encroachment persisted. We are fencing the area to prevent future encroachments and ensure a safe habitat for elephants. Five areas have already been cleared, and bamboo plantations have commenced," Choudhury stated.
In the meantime, leaders from the AIUDF protested when police barred them from accessing the eviction site. Several party leaders, including Ashraful Hussain, demonstrated against the government outside the site.
Evictions related to encroachments have been ongoing throughout Assam. Earlier this week, around 1,100 families were removed from 3,500 bighas of land in Dhubri district to facilitate the establishment of a 3,400 MW thermal power plant by the Adani Group. This operation faced resistance from locals, resulting in damage to excavators and confrontations with police, leading security forces to use baton charges to restore order.
Chief Minister Sarma reiterated on Thursday that eviction drives will persist, with over 25,000 acres cleared in the past four years. He noted that the Gauhati High Court has mandated the state to clear forest land while ensuring that displaced families receive access to drinking water and other essentials.