The Assam government has resumed its controversial eviction campaign, launching a major demolition drive in Goalpara district that threatens to displace 580 families from their homes.
Massive Eviction Operation Underway
District and forest authorities in Western Assam's Goalpara district initiated a mega eviction drive on Sunday morning targeting approximately 1,140 bighas (153 hectares) of land. According to Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Prodip Timung, the operation is expected to continue for at least two days.
"We have issued eviction notices to 580 families. The entire stretch of land is completely under the Dahikata Reserve Forest and has been encroached by these people," Timung stated, explaining the government's position.
Background of Assam's Eviction Campaign
This year has witnessed an extensive eviction campaign across multiple districts in Assam, with the state government describing these actions as necessary to counter what it calls a "demographic invasion" by people of a particular religious community. Many of those affected in previous drives have been people of Bengali origin from the Muslim community.
The eviction campaign had reached its peak intensity during July and August but had temporarily slowed following the death of beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on September 19, which dominated state headlines and public attention.
Goalpara's History of Eviction Drives
Goalpara district has experienced multiple large-scale eviction operations this year aimed at clearing encroachments from forest land. Previous drives include:
- July 12: Eviction to clear 140 hectares in Paikan Reserve Forest
- June 16: Eviction of over 600 families from Hasila Beel wetland area
According to Sunnydeo Indradeo Choudhury, Conservator of Forests, Central Assam Circle, over 1,000 forest and police personnel have been deployed for Sunday's operation.
"In just Goalpara district, we have recovered over 900 hectares of forest land through evictions this year," the official revealed, highlighting the scale of the government's reclamation efforts.
Political Context and Government Stance
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced the impending eviction drive two days prior during a Facebook Live session. Addressing the tensions following Garg's death and pressure on his government, Sarma dismissed suggestions that evictions would be halted.
"A lot of people had thought whether the evictions would be stopped. 'We have brought so much pressure on Himanta Biswa Sarma, he will no longer have the courage to conduct evictions.' I want to inform you that I cannot make you happy. On [November] 9th and 10th, in Goalpara's Dahikata forest, evictions will begin," the Chief Minister declared.
Sarma characterized the criticism as an attempt to "create a Nepal-like situation in the state," though he didn't elaborate on this comparison. Sunday's operation marks the first major eviction drive in the past two months, signaling the government's determination to continue with its controversial policy despite public scrutiny and opposition.
