Assam CM vows to intensify eviction drives, says over 25,000 acres reclaimed since 2021

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reaffirmed his government’s resolve to continue land eviction drives across the state, asserting that more than 25,000 acres of government and forest land have been cleared of alleged encroachments over the past four years.

The announcement came during a press briefing held in Guwahati after a state cabinet meeting, where Sarma also disclosed that a fresh eviction operation is slated for this Saturday in the Goalpara district.

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The upcoming drive aims to clear approximately 1,040 bighas of forest land in the Paikan Reserve Forest within the Krishnai Forest Range, potentially displacing nearly 1,080 families.

Sarma underscored that the action is being carried out in compliance with directives from the Gauhati High Court, which instructed the state to vacate forest lands while ensuring basic relief like drinking water and essential supplies to those evicted.

“The Assam government has cleared thousands of bighas of land in the last four years. I estimate that it is not less than 25,000 acres. This is significant,” the Chief Minister said.

He also announced plans to release comprehensive data on eviction operations conducted since May 2021, when he assumed office.

Sarma further stated that the state is open to rehabilitating displaced families, provided they are verified as bona fide Indian citizens and are landless in their native places.

However, he claimed that very few come forward to claim land rights post-eviction.

The latest series of drives has sparked controversy and resistance on the ground.

Earlier this week, in Chirang district, around 3,500 bighas of land across Charuwa Bakra, Chirakuta, and Santoshpur villages under the Chapar circle were cleared.

The eviction drives have often been linked to demographic concerns. Sarma alleged that districts like Lakhimpur, Dhubri, and Goalpara have witnessed an influx of people from minority-dominated areas, leading to demographic shifts.

“There was a big conspiracy to change the demography of Lakhimpur. The BJP government has restored the demographic balance in many places,” he asserted.

He further claimed that Hindus are now in the minority in Goalpara, where a 200-300-year-old temple exists, and that Dhubri town has undergone similar demographic changes due to migration from the Baghbor area of Barpeta.