Chapar evictions: Akhil Gogoi slams state over minority targeting, land grab allegations

Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi has strongly condemned the ongoing eviction drive in Assam’s Chapar, alleging that it is aimed at displacing Muslim minorities under the guise of development and handing over land to corporate entities like Adani and Ambani.

Addressing a protest in front of the Chapar Revenue Circle office, Gogoi drew parallels to colonial-era oppression. “The oppression of the Maan Singh era is back in Assam! These evictions are not for the indigenous people but to hand over land to Adani and Ambani,” he alleged.

The evictions have sparked an 11-day indefinite sit-in protest by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samiti (CMSS), demanding rehabilitation for evicted families. Protesters claim over 1,000 families have been affected in Chapar.

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Eyewitnesses reported scenes of distress as evicted residents, attempting to build makeshift shelters on the roadside, were met with hostility from district officials. Tarpaulins were allegedly torn down and utensils broken by administration personnel. “Today, the Muslim minority is being persecuted,” Gogoi said, calling for an immediate halt to the drive.

Despite mounting tensions, reports suggest that the KMSS and CMSS have temporarily suspended the protest from today. However, the reasons remain unclear.

Gogoi announced that he will meet the Chief Secretary of Assam by July 30 on behalf of the evicted families. He also plans to attend a mass rally on August 4 and meet the Dhubri District Commissioner in a bid to press for justice and resettlement.

The Chapar eviction issue continues to fuel debates on land rights, displacement, and minority protection in Assam, with Gogoi’s intervention adding political weight to growing public outrage.