A large-scale eviction drive to clear alleged encroachments on nearly 1,500 hectares of forest land in Assam’s Golaghat district entered its second day on Wednesday. The operation targets settlements in the Rengma Reserve Forest near the Assam–Nagaland border and is expected to displace around 1,500 families, primarily from the Muslim community.
The drive, which began on Tuesday in Bidyapur, continued on Wednesday in Sonari Beel and Pithaghat. Authorities aim to reclaim around 11,000 bighas of forest land said to be illegally occupied. The operation is being led by the forest department, with support from the Golaghat district administration, Assam Police, and in coordination with the Nagaland government.
Officials acknowledged the existence of government infrastructure in the evicted areas, such as PMAY-G houses, JJM water lines, SSA schools, and NHM health centres. Around 2,000 families lived in the area; notices were served to 1,500. The rest reportedly hold Forest Rights Committee certificates.
Many residents said they were settled during past governments and are now requesting rehabilitation. Evicted families, now living in makeshift shelters, urged the government for basic support. Authorities have deployed heavy security, dividing the eviction zones into nine sectors to maintain order.