Authorities in Assam’s Nagaon district on Saturday launched a large-scale eviction drive against more than 1,500 Bengali-speaking Muslim families. Officials said the operation aims to clear encroachments from 795 hectares of reserved forest land.
The operation began early morning in the Lutimari area under heavy security deployment.
According to PTI, more than 1,100 families had already dismantled their homes and left with their belongings. The remaining homes were demolished using bulldozers.
Notices were issued to the families three months ago, demanding they vacate within two months. Reports say an extension were granted after a request from families.
Cheering for the eviction drive, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a video of bulldozer action with a post, “Bamboo ka, Hollong ka, Simul ka ~ Sabka badla lega tera JCB!”
“At Lutumari Reserve Forest, JCBs rolled in today like it had a personal grudge, clearing 1,441 illegal structures. No fuss. Tomorrow it returns for the last 13 houses & betel-nut orchards.”
Human rights groups and activists have repeatedly raised concerns over the selective and inhumane targeting of Bengali Muslims in Assam. This demolition drive is the latest of dozens of eviction drives launched by the Assam government, overwhelmingly targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Earlier this month, bulldozers demolished several properties in Assam’s Goalpara district as part of a large-scale demolition operation that would left 580 families homeless.
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