Major Eviction Operation Planned in Assam's Goalpara District
The forest department of Assam is preparing for a significant eviction drive in the Dohikota Reserve Forest located in Goalpara district. Scheduled for November 9 and 10, this operation aims to reclaim 1,143 bighas (152 hectares) of forest land that has been allegedly encroached upon by 588 families.
Scale of Encroachment and Official Statements
According to Goalpara divisional forest officer Tejas Mariswamy, the Dohikota Reserve Forest spans a total area of 12,349 bighas (1,652 hectares), meaning the encroached portion represents approximately 9.2% of the entire forest area. Mariswamy confirmed that these families do not belong to any tribal community and that most have already vacated the land after receiving official notices.
The official emphasized that the forest department has coordinated with district administration and police authorities to ensure smooth execution of the eviction drive. Sufficient police personnel have been deployed to maintain order during the two-day operation.
Context of Government's Anti-Encroachment Campaign
This upcoming eviction drive represents part of the Assam state government's broader initiative to reclaim government and forest lands from illegal settlements. The campaign aligns with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's policy of "zero tolerance" toward land encroachment across the state.
The Dohikota operation follows a similar eviction drive conducted in July at Paikan Reserve Forest, located approximately 14 kilometers away. During that previous operation, authorities evicted 1,080 families who had illegally occupied 605 bighas (81 hectares) of forest land.
Historical Precedents and Security Concerns
Previous eviction drives in the region have encountered resistance from settlers. During the Paikan Reserve Forest operation, clashes erupted between police and residents, leading to stone-pelting and stick attacks on police personnel. The confrontation escalated when police resorted to lathi charges and opening fire, resulting in one civilian death.
Another significant eviction occurred on June 16, when over 600 families, predominantly of Bengali-origin Muslims, were removed from Hasila Beel village in the same district. The Dohikata Reserve Forest's proximity to the Brahmaputra River, located just 4 kilometers away, adds geographical significance to the upcoming operation.
State officials maintain that these eviction drives are essential for protecting forest resources and implementing land rights regulations consistently across all communities in Assam.
