The Assam Forest Department initiated an anti-encroachment in an effort to reclaim the Nalbari Reserve Forest in the Goalpara district of Assam. The forest department started the demolition and eviction of illegal settlements, including Masjids and Madarsas, that had encroached upon forest land.
Collaborating with the Goalpara civil and police administration, the operation targeted the clearance of approximately 100 hectares of encroached land. Eviction notices were served to 246 families, including those associated with the Masjids and Madarsas situated on the forest land. A Nalbari Forest Reserve official said that all 246 families residing illegally were forced to leave on the first day of the anti-encroachment drive itself.
Excavators are being deployed for the demolition of permanent structures established in the forest land. Forest officials assert that no relocation options are being provided to the individuals facing eviction, categorizing them as encroachers on forest land. Goalpara Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tejas Mariswamy emphasized the use of excavators for demolition in areas with permanent structures, dismissing the possibility of relocation for individuals considered encroachers on forest land. He further confirmed that many families had vacated before the arrival of eviction teams.
Since assuming power in Assam in May 2021, the BJP government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma has initiated eviction campaigns throughout the state, resulting in frequent clashes between security forces and long-time residents. The majority of the encroachers happen to be Bengali-speaking Muslims, thousands of whom have been displaced.
In one of the most extensive eviction operations, approximately 2,099 hectares of the Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district were cleared in February, impacting around 12,800 individuals. Despite facing criticism from the opposition, Assam CM Sarma has asserted that the eviction efforts targeting government and forest land will persist as long as the BJP remains in power in the state.
(Featured Image Source: Madhyamam)
