Golaghat, 29 July (HS): Over 2,000 families face eviction as the Assam government gears up for a large-scale clearance operation in the Rengma Reserve Forest, located in Uriamghat under Golaghat district. Beginning Tuesday, the drive will cover more than 10,000 bighas (around 3,300 acres) of encroached forestland situated along the Assam-Nagaland border.
Officials revealed that land surveys conducted across 30 villages under Sarupathar sub-division exposed widespread illegal conversion of forest areas into agricultural land. The entire stretch has now been demarcated into nine zones for systematic eviction.
“Eviction notices have already been issued by the Forest Department. A week’s deadline was given, following which several families from villages like Chilanijan, Kherbari, and Dayalpur have started vacating on their own,” said a senior district authority.
Most of those occupying the land reportedly trace their origins to various districts within Assam — including Nagon, Morigaon, Sonitpur, Hojai, Cachar, Dhubri, and Barpeta — along with some from West Bengal and Bihar. A large proportion belong to the minority community, officials added.
To ensure the operation proceeds without disruption, heavy security deployment is in place. CRPF personnel and state police forces have been mobilised, and a senior police officer has been stationed in the district.
The upcoming eviction follows Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visit to Uriamghat on July 25. The CM noted that nearly 70% of the identified encroachers had vacated the land voluntarily, signalling public awareness of the state’s strict stance on illegal settlement.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland government, concerned about possible cross-border movement, has advised its border districts to remain alert and prevent any spillover of evicted residents.
Since 2021, Assam has cleared 1.29 lakh bighas (over 42,500 acres) of encroached land. However, the challenge remains steep, with nearly 29 lakh bighas (over 9.5 lakh acres) still under illegal occupation. The state government maintains that the drive will continue with full resolve to reclaim forest and government land.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
