Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday strongly defended the government’s eviction drive underway in Uriamghat, Golaghat district.
He asserted that the operation was lawful and aimed at dismantling massive encroachments, where some individuals had occupied 300 to 400 bighas of government and forest land. Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the state was not targeting poor families or genuine settlers.
Instead, the focus was on illegal settlers who had turned land occupation into a business model.
The comments come amid heightened political and public interest over the scale and intent of the eviction drive, which began earlier this week.
Uriamghat Drive Part of Larger Crackdown
The Uriamghat operation is one of several eviction efforts carried out across Assam since 2021. These drives aim to reclaim thousands of hectares of government and forest land.
According to officials, many tracts of land have been occupied illegally for years, some even decades. Sarma emphasized that the government had prior data and land records proving these occupations to be unlawful.
“We are not acting arbitrarily,” he said.
“We have identified people who have forcefully grabbed 300–400 bighas each and are even engaging in commercial activities,” he added.
Forest Protection and Land Reclamation
Much of the land cleared falls under protected forest areas. Illegal encroachment in these zones has led to deforestation, wildlife disturbance, and environmental degradation.
The eviction drive also aligns with Assam’s broader goal to increase green cover and protect reserved forest belts.
Sarma said such large-scale occupation cannot be tolerated if the state is to preserve its natural resources for future generations. He noted that some of the encroachers were even selling land to others, which is both illegal and exploitative.
Opposition Questions Humanitarian Angle
Several opposition parties and civil rights groups have raised concerns over how the eviction drive is being executed. They argue that even if land is illegally occupied, the state must ensure due rehabilitation for displaced families.
Sarma countered these criticisms by stating that the government distinguishes between landless indigenous families and organized encroachers. He reiterated that tribal and indigenous communities with genuine claims were not being targeted.
“If someone has a few bighas for survival, we look into their case sensitively,” Sarma said.
“But if someone is living on hundreds of bighas and profiting from it, action must be taken,” he added.
Government Remains Firm on Eviction Policy
Sarma affirmed that eviction drives will continue in other parts of the state wherever large-scale illegal settlements are found. He stressed the need for rule of law and said that no one is above it.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that many of these evictions are carried out after issuing multiple notices.
“The goal is not cruelty, but fairness,” he said. Sarma appealed for public cooperation and asked political groups not to mislead people or incite unrest.
Uriamghat Operation: Ground Realities
As of July 25, more than 2,000 bighas of land in Uriamghat had been cleared, according to district officials. The drive involved heavy security deployment and was largely peaceful, though some protests were reported.
Authorities said they were working to ensure law and order and would assess if any rehabilitation measures were needed post-eviction.
In recent years, Assam has witnessed multiple such drives in areas like Dhalpur, Batadrava, and Lumding. These operations have sparked both support and criticism from different sections of society.
Way Forward
The Uriamghat eviction drive marks a continuation of Assam’s strict approach to illegal land occupation.
While the government claims it is reclaiming public land for development and conservation, critics remain wary of its humanitarian implications.
As more such operations are expected, the balance between law enforcement and ethical governance will remain in sharp focus.
For now, the Sarma-led government seems determined to send a clear message: large-scale encroachment will not be tolerated.