Eviction drive begins in Goalpara's Krishnai forest area; over 1,000 bighas cleared

A massive eviction drive was launched this morning by the Forest Department in the Paikan Reserve Forest area of Krishnai in Assam’s Goalpara district. 

The operation aims to clear around 1,038 bighas of encroached forest land, which is being carried out with the help of nearly 50 excavators.

The eviction is underway in areas such as Bidyapara and Betbari, which fall within the boundaries of the protected forest. According to officials, over 1,080 families are being evicted as part of the operation. So far, nearly 70% of the residents have vacated the area voluntarily after receiving prior notice, dismantling their homes on their own.

Also Read: Goalpara set for major eviction drive as 95% of 'encroachers' vacate forest land voluntarily

To ensure smooth execution and maintain law and order, more than a thousand security personnel along with forest department staff, have been deployed at the site. The eviction process has been largely peaceful, with no major resistance reported.

Locals, while cooperating with the authorities, have urged the government to provide rehabilitation. “We are not opposing the eviction,” said one evicted resident. “But watching our homes being demolished before our eyes without any alternative shelter is unbearable. The government must provide us with resettlement.”

The Forest Department has stated that the eviction is part of a broader effort to protect the reserve forest from illegal encroachments and restore ecological balance in the region.