The Cachar district administration executed a large-scale eviction drive on Friday in the Arkatipur and Dayapur areas of Udharbond, demolishing hundreds of structures allegedly erected illegally along the proposed alignment of the Bharatmala Project road. The operation commenced early in the morning, deploying over 20 bulldozers and a heavy security presence comprising nearly 1,000 personnel from Assam Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other security agencies.
Allegations of Compensation Fraud
According to district administration sources, the drive was initiated following allegations that a syndicate had constructed numerous illegal houses, tin sheds, and nurseries on agricultural land. The intent, officials claimed, was to claim compensation meant for land acquisition under the Bharatmala Project. Many of these structures were reportedly erected recently, aiming to siphon off government compensation linked to the road project. The administration acted after the matter surfaced on various media platforms.
Objective and Execution
Authorities maintained that the primary objective was to clear encroachments from government and agricultural land to facilitate the smooth execution of this nationally significant infrastructure project. The eviction operation continued throughout the day and remained largely peaceful, officials said. Cachar Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rajat Kumar Pal addressed reporters at the site, stating that elaborate security arrangements had been put in place following instructions from the district administration.
“The situation is being closely monitored, and additional security personnel have been brought in from neighbouring districts to ensure the operation is conducted smoothly,” Pal said. He appealed to residents to cooperate with the administration.
Future Actions
Officials indicated that further action may follow if additional encroachments linked to the alleged compensation fraud are identified during the ongoing verification process. The eviction drive underscores the administration’s commitment to upholding legal land use and preventing fraudulent claims.
