The eviction drive was meant to commence on February 20, but the authorities began it sooner without warning...
Digital Desk: Following records, authorities in Assam's Sonitpur district initiated a drive on Tuesday to evict around 2,500 households who were allegedly living unlawfully on forest land.
The eviction drive is set to take place on about 1,892 hectares of land at the Burha Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary, which is located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, was designated as a reserve forest in 1974.
The sanctuary's Lathimari, Ganesh Tapu, Baghe Tapu, Gulirpar, and Siali regions were evacuated on Wednesday, according to PTI. "So far, it has been quiet, and no unpleasant incident has been recorded," an unidentified official told the news agency.
Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra announced on Tuesday that the drive will last three days. He stated that thousands of people have been living in the region illegally for decades.
As per National media, the authorities issued notifications requiring the families to vacate the land two weeks ago. He said that nearly all of the residents had fled before the eviction drive began.
According to reports, the majority of the residents were Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Firoza Begum, one of those whose homes were demolished, claimed that the government stated that the eviction would begin on February 20, but began the process early without warning.
Since taking power in May 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma-led administration in Assam has been conducting evictions in various sections of the state. Opposition leaders have accused the administration of violating legal safeguards and specifically targeting the Muslim population in its eviction campaigns.
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