Hojai (Assam), 2 January (HS):

The district administration has launched a major eviction drive at the Maudanga Reserved Forest area under Doboka, aiming to reclaim nearly 6,000 bighas of forest land from illegal encroachment on Friday.

Officials said that around 1,250 families had illegally settled in the Tamulbari area within the reserved forest, constructing houses and establishing villages over the years. The land in question falls under protected forest territory and had been under encroachment for a long period.

As the eviction operation began, several illegal structures were demolished. Authorities stated that many of the encroachers have already vacated the area after dismantling their houses.

The administration maintained that the eviction drive is part of an ongoing effort to protect reserved forest land and restore encroachment-free forest areas, while ensuring law and order during the operation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash