Eviction Drive in Jorhat: Controversy Surrounds Government Land Demolition

Eviction Operation in Jorhat

On June 3, the district administration of Jorhat, supported by police and CRPF forces, executed an eviction operation aimed at demolishing both residential and commercial buildings purportedly constructed on government property.

As officials from the Jorhat Municipality Board arrived with heavy machinery on Kabaristan Road, a distressed crowd gathered, with some individuals attempting to resist the demolition efforts. Law enforcement quickly intervened to manage the situation.

A representative from the Board clarified to reporters that the eviction was not arbitrary, stating, "This action is not linked to any personal disputes or political conflicts."

He emphasized that the operation had received approval from the municipal general assembly and was conducted in accordance with legal procedures.

The focus of the eviction was the home of Azad Chowdhury, who has been accused by some of being a national of Bangladesh.

Chowdhury has faced longstanding allegations of unlawfully occupying government land. This eviction follows a period of escalating tensions, including a recent protest organized by the local civil group, Bir Lachit Sena.

"Notices were issued to Chowdhury in 2016, 2020, and most recently this year," an official from the Board stated. "He was instructed to vacate the premises but did not comply. His assertion of leasing the land is baseless — we lack any official documentation to support it."

In response, Chowdhury vehemently rejected the administration's assertions. "This land was leased to me in 2014. I have been paying approximately ₹20,000 annually as lease rent under municipal regulations. I own 14 lessa of land here and possess documents signed by 19 ward commissioners," he explained. He noted that the municipality had not collected rent in recent years due to ongoing court disputes involving third-party claimants.

"If I had received a properly dated eviction notice, I would have made arrangements. The demolition has obliterated everything we constructed," he lamented.

While expressing his willingness to cooperate with the authorities, Chowdhury hinted at a possible political agenda behind the targeted eviction. "This is not solely the municipality's doing. The directive must have originated from higher authorities," he suggested.