Government's Firm Stance on Eviction Drives Against Encroachers

Eviction Drives to Continue

Guwahati, July 13: The state administration has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting eviction operations targeting individuals unlawfully occupying government properties.

During a visit to assess the flood conditions in Golaghat, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the necessity for settlers encroaching upon forest areas and vital government lands to vacate.

He announced that officials from the Forest Department will soon travel to Uriamghat in Golaghat to evaluate potential encroachments on forest land.

“Once we confirm that forest areas have been occupied, we will take necessary actions after discussions with the local MLA and community members,” the Chief Minister stated to reporters.

Additionally, he expressed concern regarding reports of regular bus services operating between Uriamghat in Golaghat and Dhing and Rupahihat in Nagaon district.

“If individuals without homes are settling on government land, that is understandable. However, why are residents from other districts commuting here daily? Such trends could alter the demographic landscape of Golaghat, and I am monitoring this closely,” he remarked.

It is important to note that the government has adopted a stringent approach towards encroachment, executing eviction drives across various regions in Assam. Recently, operations were conducted in Dhubri and Goalpara to remove encroachers from state land.

In Dhubri, it has been claimed that the eviction was aimed at clearing land for the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), which is expected to transfer it to the Adani Group. Meanwhile, in Goalpara’s Paikan Reserve Forest, the eviction was intended to mitigate human-elephant conflicts by establishing bamboo plantations in the area.

Defending the eviction strategy, the Chief Minister previously remarked on the harsh nature of such actions. “Eviction is inherently severe. There is nothing compassionate about it. If individuals do not leave after receiving notices, bulldozers will inevitably be deployed. What then constitutes a humane eviction?” he questioned.

On July 10, during a gathering in Kokrajhar, Sarma reiterated the BJP government's determination to remove illegal occupants from government land. “The BJP will persist with eviction drives. No one can hinder us. Bangladeshi nationals will be removed,” he asserted on the sidelines of the event.