Goalpara District Administration Initiates Second Phase of Eviction Drive
Eviction Drive Targets Unauthorized Settlements
The drive was carried out on agricultural land across five revenue villages under Krishnai. (AT Photo)
Goalpara, Sept 7: On Monday, the administration of Goalpara district commenced the second phase of its eviction initiative, dismantling the residences of 73 families accused of unauthorized construction on agricultural land across five revenue villages in Krishnai.
This operation represents a departure from previous eviction efforts that primarily targeted alleged encroachments on forest areas.
This time, the focus shifted to settlements deemed to be obstructing water bodies and natural drainage systems.
The eviction took place in Kharija Paikan, Khamar Manikpur, Bhojmala Part II, Jatsharbadi, and Tengabari, following notices issued to the occupants by the Matia Revenue Circle Officer.
District Commissioner Pradip Timung emphasized that the aim of the administration is to safeguard agricultural land, water bodies, and natural drainage systems, which are increasingly threatened by unauthorized settlements.
“This land was entirely agricultural, but individuals began to settle here overnight. If they had legitimately purchased the land and engaged in farming, there would have been no issue. However, the construction of homes is disrupting the natural water flow, leading to the gradual shrinkage of our water bodies,” Timung stated.
He highlighted Urpad Beel as another water body under similar stress, noting that the obstruction of natural drainage is causing various issues in the district.
In addition to recurrent flooding, Goalpara is experiencing a reduction in water bodies and the loss of traditional agricultural land, he added.
Timung dismissed any communal interpretations of the eviction, stating that the administration's survey revealed that many occupants had migrated from other districts, including Darrang, Barpeta, Dhubri, and Mankachar.
“This is not a matter of religion. During our survey, even some Muslim residents expressed concerns about individuals constructing homes on agricultural land,” he remarked.
The District Commissioner accused a lawyer of facilitating the settlement of numerous individuals from Darrang, asserting that the administration's actions were necessary to prevent further loss of farmland.
“If we do not take action now, our farmland will gradually vanish,” Timung warned, urging collective efforts to protect agricultural land, rivers, beels, and other water bodies.
Some local residents expressed support for the eviction drive, calling it long overdue. One resident claimed that individuals from various districts had been settling in the area after being evicted from other locations.
“These individuals arrive at night and construct their homes. They come from different districts—some from Darrang, others from Dhubri—and lack voting rights here. It has become a pattern: when they are evicted from one area, they relocate to another piece of land,” a local resident explained.
This latest operation follows a significant eviction drive initiated by the Goalpara district administration at Dahikata in November 2025, where over 50 excavators were deployed to clear alleged encroachments from forest land.