A year after Assam's Dhubri eviction, hundreds of Charuwa Bakra families await rehabilitation

Nearly a year after a large-scale eviction drive in Charuwa Bakra under the Chapar Revenue Circle of Assam’s Dhubri district, hundreds of displaced families are allegedly still waiting for proper rehabilitation, with several families forced to live in makeshift shelters with their children and livestock.

The eviction was carried out over around 3,500 bighas of land, which was reportedly acquired by the government for a proposed power project of the Adani Group. Local residents and the Dhubri district unit of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti claimed that around 2,000 families were displaced during the drive.

Among them were around 300 patta-holder families, collectively owning nearly 1,148 bighas of land. Another 200 families reportedly held allotted land, while nearly 600 landless families were residing on government khas land.

The patta-holder families were allegedly assured land-for-land rehabilitation, with agreements signed through bonds. However, the families claimed that even after a year, none of the 300 patta holders had received alternative land or proper rehabilitation.

Other displaced families were reportedly allotted land on a riverine char along the Brahmaputra. The affected residents, however, alleged that the site was unsuitable for permanent settlement and did not offer a viable rehabilitation option.

As a result, several families are allegedly continuing to live in makeshift arrangements, exposed to rain and extreme weather conditions.

Dhubri district Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti president Nazimul Haque alleged that the authorities had failed to honour their rehabilitation commitments.

“It has been one year since the eviction, but the displaced families are still waiting for proper rehabilitation. The government had assured the patta-holder families of land-for-land settlement and agreements were signed, yet they have not received the promised land. Families with small children and livestock are being forced to live under the open sky. This is not rehabilitation,” Haque said.

He alleged that the eviction had also deprived affected families of their homes, agricultural land and primary sources of livelihood.

“The government cannot simply evict people and leave them without a suitable place to live. The affected families have lost their homes, agricultural land and livelihood. Their right to live with dignity must be protected,” he said.

The alleged removal of graveyards and burial grounds during the eviction has also added to the resentment among displaced residents. Families claimed that burial grounds were cleared during the operation, causing distress among people who had lived in the area for years.

The affected families have demanded that the administration identify suitable land and provide permanent rehabilitation rather than settling them in an unsuitable riverine area.

“We have been living here with our children and livestock without proper shelter. We were told that we would be rehabilitated, but a year has passed. We want a safe place to live and land on which we can rebuild our lives,” a resident said.

The Dhubri district unit of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti has threatened to launch a fresh agitation if the displaced families are not provided land and proper rehabilitation at a suitable location at the earliest.

The allegations made by the affected families and the organisation could not be independently verified. The response of the Dhubri district administration on the current rehabilitation status was not available at the time of filing this report.