Contentious Eviction Drive Clears Vast Forest Land in Assam

In Assam's Golaghat district, a massive eviction drive aimed at clearing nearly 1,500 hectares of forest land is underway. Officials stated that the operation, now in its fifth day, targets around 1,500 families alleged to have encroached upon the Rengma Reserve Forest along the Assam-Nagaland border.

Controversy surrounds the drive due to the presence of government-backed infrastructure such as schools and health centers in the area, raising questions about the rationale for the evictions. Affected families claim they were originally settled by governmental efforts to safeguard against external threats.

The efforts, led by the Forest Department and supported by local authorities and security forces, have already reclaimed over 1,100 hectares. The operation has proceeded peacefully, but tensions persist over claims of encroachment and the future of displaced families from diverse communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)