"Bulldozers will roll regardless of votes": Assam Minister signals tough stand on encroachments post polls

Election campaigning has intensified in the 125 No. Patharkandi Assembly constituency, with political rhetoric sharpening as polling approaches. At a public rally held in the Bazarghat area, Assam Minister Krishnendu Paul issued a strong warning against alleged encroachers on government and forest land, signalling the continuation of eviction drives after the completion of the electoral process.

Addressing supporters, Paul said that individuals occupying forest land still have time to vacate voluntarily, cautioning that eviction measures, including the use of bulldozers, would resume immediately after the counting of votes. He asserted that the government’s stance on eviction was not influenced by electoral considerations. “We do not engage in vote-bank politics. Bulldozers will operate whether people vote for us or not,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that government land must be freed from encroachment, underlining the ecological importance of forests. He noted that preserving green cover is essential for maintaining environmental balance and ensuring oxygen supply.

Highlighting the State government’s record, Paul said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, approximately five lakh bighas of land have already been cleared of encroachment across Assam. He added that in the Patharkandi constituency alone, nearly 20,000 bighas are targeted to be reclaimed.

The remarks come amid heightened political activity in Sribhumi district, where land rights and eviction drives have emerged as key electoral issues. The statements are likely to further intensify the debate around land use, environmental conservation, and governance priorities in the run-up to the Assembly elections.