Assam Administration Executes Eviction Operation in Goalpara District
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Guwahati, Dec 13 (NationPress) On Friday, 44 families were forcibly removed during an anti-encroachment operation in Goalpara district of Assam, as stated by officials.
The operation was conducted by the district administration in the Pancharatna area, which falls under the Balijan revenue circle of Goalpara district.
A senior official mentioned that eviction notices had been issued to the illegal settlers well in advance of the operation.
To ensure a smooth eviction process, security forces were deployed by the administration.
Meanwhile, local residents argued that they have lived in the area for the past thirty years. However, the administration maintained that all 44 families were unlawfully occupying government land.
Previously, in September, a routine eviction drive in the Sonapur area of Kamrup district turned violent.
A violent confrontation occurred between local police and residents when officers attempted to clear what they considered illegal colonies on a 100-bigha tract of land that housed approximately 150 individuals, leading to the unfortunate deaths of two residents and injuries to several others.
The deceased were identified as Juwahid Ali and Haider Ali. Both were declared dead at the Sonapur District Hospital after sustaining injuries allegedly inflicted by police gunfire.
In addition to the fatalities, several injuries were reported, including that of Shahjahan Ali, who was shot in the leg.
During the altercation, at least 22 policemen, including a female constable and Revenue Circle Officer Nitul Khatoniar, sustained injuries and were promptly taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for urgent care.
According to reports, encroachers threw stones at the police and authorities on the fourth day of the operation, resulting in damage to numerous police vehicles.
Witnesses indicated that they were also assaulted with sticks and other dangerous objects.
As per reports, paramilitary and police forces resorted to gunfire in an attempt to regain control of the situation.
It was noted that there was minimal security presence during the initial three days of the eviction campaign.
In an official statement, the Assam Police declared that 248 bigha (approximately 155 acres) of government land and 237 unauthorized structures erected in the tribal zone by unlawful settlers have been cleared.
To recall, in September 2021, two individuals were killed and 15 policemen were injured when a clash erupted between alleged encroachers and police during an eviction operation in Gorukhuti village in Assam.
