The Assam government initiated a significant eviction drive on Tuesday in the Rengma Forest Division of Uriamghat, aimed at addressing alleged illegal encroachments on forest land. This operation, focusing on the Bidyapur area in Golaghat district, seeks to reclaim roughly 11,000 bighas of land.
A senior forest official reported extensive encroachment in the region, describing it as “almost a complete commercial setup.” The first phase of the operation was completed by Tuesday afternoon and is expected to continue in the coming days. The drive commenced early in the morning, employing over 150 excavators and bulldozers, with support from the Assam Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Forest Department.
Security forces took control of the area, methodically removing shops, houses, and temporary structures. Officials indicated that the operation proceeded without incident, as most illegal settlers had vacated their homes after receiving eviction notices.
Prior to the operation, approximately 1,500 families were served with eviction notices. However, about 500 families identified as legitimate forest dwellers and holders of Forest Rights Committee (FRC) certificates were exempt from demolition.
The planning of the operation was meticulous, initially targeting commercial establishments before moving to residential areas. Preparatory work began on Monday, and many affected families chose to dismantle their homes before the demolitions started, leaving only unoccupied structures.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Uriamghat on July 25 to assess the situation and directed authorities to ensure the eviction was conducted peacefully and legally. He expressed confidence that significant resistance would not be faced during the process.
Community reactions have varied. Renu Devi Barua, a leader of an indigenous group in Tinsukia, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “Our Chief Minister is removing illegal settlers. This is indeed good news.”
This eviction drive is part of a broader state initiative to eliminate encroachments from forest and government-owned lands. Similar actions are planned in other districts, including Kamrup (Metro), particularly in Maligaon, Jalukbari, and areas surrounding the Guwahati airport.
Officials assert that the primary objectives of the eviction drive are forest conservation and the enforcement of legal land protections. While the operation has sparked concerns regarding humanitarian impacts, the administration has emphasized that all measures are following legal procedures.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-massive-eviction-drive-begins-in-uriamghat-to-reclaim-encroached-forest-land.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-07-29 14:03:00
