Guwahati, November 29, 2025: An extensive eviction drive was launched in Assam’s Nagaon district on Saturday, targeting encroachments on 795 hectares of government and forest land, where approximately 1,700 families had been residing, officials confirmed. The drive began early in the morning in the Lutimari area, under a heavy deployment of security forces, and continued until 4 pm, with authorities announcing that operations would resume on Sunday to ensure complete compliance.

District officials noted that notices had been served to the encroachers three months ago, asking them to vacate the lands within two months. Many residents requested an additional month to relocate, which the district administration granted. By Saturday, over 1,100 families, living in both pucca and kuccha houses, had already left with their belongings, while illegally constructed structures were systematically dismantled.

In total, the eviction operation led to the demolition of 2,070 kuccha houses and 192 brick structures, which included public facilities such as seven Anganwadi centres, two lower primary schools, a primary health centre, and water treatment plants under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The drive covered several villages within the Greater Lutumari Forest Reserve, including Bedetipar, Sankhula, Jurirpar, and Kendapara. Approximately 70 percent of the residents in these areas had already vacated following appeals by District Commissioner Devashis Sarma. Around 50 bulldozers were deployed to facilitate the demolition work.

Some residents expressed distress, stating that they had been living in the area for over four decades and were unaware that their homes were situated on forest land. Many belong to the Bengali-speaking Muslim community, whose ancestors had reportedly settled in these regions after their land in the riverine ‘char’ areas was washed away by Brahmaputra River erosion.

The eviction drive is part of a broader anti-encroachment effort initiated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma since May 2021. The CM had previously claimed that more than 160 square kilometers of land had been cleared of encroachments, affecting over 50,000 people across the state. Following the resumption of eviction drives on June 16 this year, over 5,000 families have been displaced.

The administration emphasized that the drives are necessary to reclaim government and forest lands that have been illegally occupied, ensuring environmental protection and the proper use of public resources. However, the measures have faced criticism from some residents and activists, who argue that many of the families displaced had lived in the areas for generations and were unaware of the legal status of the land.

Officials clarified that while the government is committed to enforcing land regulations, efforts are being made to minimize hardship to the affected families. Alternative arrangements and rehabilitation plans were being considered for those displaced, particularly for those who had no prior knowledge of the forest status of the land they occupied.

The operation in Nagaon represents one of the most significant evictions in Assam in recent years, highlighting the continuing tensions between development and conservation priorities on one hand and the historical settlement patterns of vulnerable communities on the other.

The eviction drive also reflects the state government’s firm stance on addressing illegal encroachments, which has been a hallmark of Chief Minister Sarma’s administration. Authorities argue that reclaiming encroached forest and government land is crucial not only for environmental conservation but also for maintaining lawful governance and protecting public infrastructure projects.

As the drive continues into Sunday, district officials have called on remaining residents to comply with eviction notices to avoid legal consequences. Security forces will continue to oversee the demolition and ensure that the reclaimed land is cleared in an orderly manner.

Meanwhile, human rights and community activists have urged the government to provide adequate rehabilitation and compensation for displaced families, citing the long-term social and economic impact of losing homes and community networks. The state administration has assured that measures will be taken to address immediate needs, including temporary shelters, food assistance, and support for affected children’s education.

With thousands of people displaced in Assam over the past few years due to similar drives, the government faces the challenge of balancing legal enforcement with social justice, while also addressing the environmental imperatives of forest conservation and sustainable land use. The ongoing Nagaon operation underscores this complex dynamic, highlighting the intersection of governance, legal rights, and human livelihood.

As authorities proceed with the second phase of the eviction drive on Sunday, it remains to be seen how the affected families adapt to relocation and how the government manages the ensuing humanitarian and logistical challenges.