Dibrugarh eviction: Bulldozers roll along Brahmaputra embankment as Rs 40,000 land deal sparks probe calls

Authorities in Dibrugarh on Tuesday, March 17 carried out a large-scale eviction drive along the Brahmaputra embankment, clearing nearly nine bighas of allegedly encroached government land.

 

The operation, executed with the deployment of bulldozers and heavy police presence, was undertaken in compliance with court directives, officials said. The drive has, however, triggered sharp public debate over its timing, coming soon after the announcement of election notifications in the state.

 

Eyewitnesses described scenes of rapid demolition as structures built on the land were razed within hours. District authorities maintained that the eviction was part of an ongoing effort to reclaim government land from illegal occupation and uphold the rule of law.

 

Yet, the operation has also exposed what appears to be a deeper and more troubling issue, a possible land scam that may have operated unchecked for years.

 

In a startling on-camera admission, one of the evicted residents claimed that several families had purchased portions of the land for as little as Rs 40,000 from an individual locally known as “Musua” or “Bhaga,” allegedly without any legal documentation. The revelation has raised serious concerns about fraudulent land transactions and the exploitation of unsuspecting buyers.

 

The incident has prompted a series of pressing questions. Critics are asking why such a large-scale encroachment was allowed to persist for years in full view of the administration. Others have questioned the identity and influence of the individual accused of selling government land, and how such transactions could occur without detection or intervention.

 

Equally contentious is the timing of the eviction. While authorities insist the drive was conducted strictly under judicial orders, sections of the public and political observers have raised concerns over whether the action could carry electoral undertones.

 

Residents across Dibrugarh expressed mixed reactions. While some welcomed the move as a necessary step to reclaim public land and enforce legal norms, others viewed it with skepticism, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged land scam and accountability for those responsible.

 

Officials have yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the allegations surrounding the individual identified as “Musua” or “Bhaga.” Meanwhile, demands are growing for a comprehensive probe to uncover the extent of the alleged fraud and identify any possible administrative lapses.