Assam launches state’s largest eviction drive in Uriamghat to clear 3,600 acres of forest land

The Assam government has initiated a massive eviction drive to reclaim over 3,600 acres of forest land in the Rengma Reserve Forest area of Uriamghat, located along the sensitive Assam–Nagaland border in the Sarupathar sub-division. Officials described the operation as the largest anti-encroachment initiative ever undertaken in the state.

According to the Golaghat district administration and forest department officials, the drive aims to clear alleged encroachments spread across nearly 11,000 bighas of protected forest area, impacting approximately 1,500 families who had been served eviction notices.

The first phase of the eviction began on Tuesday morning in the main market area of Vidyapur, with a heavy presence of police and forest personnel. Authorities stated that the operation would gradually extend into residential zones, where a total of 2,648 illegal structures across 12 villages have been marked for demolition.

The villages identified include Sonaribil Top, No. 2 Pithaghat, No. 2 & No. 3 Dayalpur, Dalanpathar, Kherbari, Vidyapur, Vidyapur Bazar, No. 2 Madhupur, Anandpur, Rajapukhuri, and Gelajan.

“Approximately 2,000 families were residing in the area. Of them, 1,500 were issued eviction notices due to illegal settlement. The remaining families are recognized forest dwellers with valid Forest Rights Committee (FRC) certificates,” an official stated.

To ensure the peaceful execution of the operation, over 2,000 Assam Police personnel and 500 forest protection staff have been deployed. In addition, more than 100 Pokeland and excavator machines have been stationed for demolitions. Security vehicles and equipment have been mobilized from districts including Golaghat, Merapani, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia.

Senior officers, including Additional Superintendents of Police (ASPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and Assistant Commissioners, are on-site to oversee and coordinate the drive.

Officials maintained that the eviction was carried out in accordance with legal procedures, aimed at preventing long-standing encroachment and preserving the ecological integrity of the forest region.

Locals claimed that most of the families whose homes are being demolished belong to the Muslim community, while those holding FRC certificates primarily belong to the Bodo, Nepali, and other indigenous communities. However, authorities have not officially commented on the demographic composition, maintaining that action is being taken strictly on legal grounds and verified documentation.

Authorities also confirmed that 80 per cent of the families who had received notices have already vacated the area voluntarily in recent days. “We are only demolishing the abandoned structures,” said a senior district official.