Nagaon, Assam: In one of the largest eviction operations carried out in recent years, authorities in Assam’s Nagaon district have cleared nearly 2,000 acres (approx. 795 hectares) of reserved forest land in the Kampur region, demolishing over 1,500 structures, including homes and a mosque. The massive exercise, which the state government has termed “Eviction 2.0”, has once again reignited intense debate on land rights, forest conservation, displacement, and the ongoing campaign against alleged illegal encroachment across Assam.
District officials, assisted by police battalions and forest protection teams, began the multi-phase eviction early this week after issuing a three-month notice period to residents. While the administration maintains that the reclaimed land is critical for environmental protection and long-term ecological stability, the humanitarian fallout of the eviction has triggered concerns among activists, opposition leaders, and affected families.
A High-Intensity Operation That Transformed an Entire Landscape
According to district authorities, the eviction drive was executed with “maximum preparedness and minimal conflict,” although the sheer scale of the operation made it one of the most sensitive undertaken in Nagaon in years.
Excavators, forest officials, and police personnel moved into the area at dawn, beginning a systematic demolition of settlements spread across the forest zone. Many of the structures were makeshift homes built over the last decade, though officials claimed that “large pockets of land were under encroachment much earlier, with expansion continuing steadily.”
Residents said they were aware of the notice period but hoped for reconsideration or extended time for relocation. Some families spent the previous day shifting belongings into temporary government camps set up a few kilometres away.
“We have lived here for years. We didn’t know where else to go,” said one displaced resident, standing near a pile of corrugated sheets. “The eviction may be legal, but it is painful.”
Government’s Stand: Eviction 2.0 Is About ‘Protecting Forests and Preventing Illegal Occupation’
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the Nagaon operation as part of the government’s long-term strategy to reclaim ecologically sensitive land and ensure that public resources are not misused.
“Since 2021, we have taken several steps to protect Assam’s forests and public land. Illegal encroachment cannot be allowed to expand unchecked,” the Chief Minister posted on social media, calling the fresh action “Eviction 2.0.”
The government claims that a significant volume of forest land across Assam has been occupied without authorization in recent decades, leading to rapid deforestation, habitat loss, and environmental degradation. The administration argues that reclaiming these areas is essential to restoring eco-balance and preventing resource overuse.
Officials also emphasised that the eviction was not sudden.
- Three months of advance notices were issued
- A series of public awareness meetings were held
- Relocation camps were prepared in advance
- Local authorities collected data on the number of families to be affected
“Every rule was followed. This was not an overnight operation,” a senior Nagaon district official noted.
Residents Question Notice Period and Rehabilitation Quality
However, several affected families and social organisations contest the government’s version of “adequate notice.” While acknowledging that notices were issued, many argue that the relocation planning lacked depth and failed to consider the livelihoods of thousands now uprooted.
The temporary government camps comprised of tin shelters, tents, and community kitchens are currently accommodating a portion of the displaced population. But several residents allege overcrowding, limited facilities, and uncertainty about long-term resettlement plans.
“We were told to move, but not where we would permanently stay,” said Rahman Ali, a father of four who claimed his family had lived on the land for nearly 15 years. “Our children went to school here. Now everything is gone in a day.”
Some residents also questioned the demolition of religious structures. District officials confirmed that one mosque was among the structures cleared, asserting that it stood on forest land and could not be exempted.
Forest Conservation vs. Humanitarian Crisis: Experts Weigh In
Environmental groups have expressed measured support for the eviction drive, noting that forest land encroachment is a serious problem in Assam, which has witnessed a high rate of deforestation, especially in riverine and flood-prone districts.
“Reclaiming forest land is important. Assam has lost significant green cover over the decades,” said a forest conservation expert from Guwahati University. “However, eviction should ideally be accompanied by a strong rehabilitation framework so people do not end up in crisis.”
Human rights organisations, on the other hand, warn that large-scale evictions often lack transparency regarding who qualifies as “illegal encroachers.” Many of the affected families claim they settled on the land after being displaced by repeated floods, erosion, or social conflicts circumstances common across Assam’s vulnerable plains.
“The definition of encroachment needs nuance,” said a civil society activist based in Nagaon. “A family displaced five times by river erosion deserves humane rehabilitation, not sudden uprooting.”
Political Reactions: Supporters Praise the Move, Opposition Demands Inquiry
The eviction has drawn strong political reactions across party lines.
Supporters of the ruling party view the operation as a decisive step to protect Assam’s resources and enforce law and order.
Opposition parties, however, have accused the government of selectively targeting vulnerable communities and ignoring rehabilitation protocols.
Some leaders have asked the state to release detailed data on:
- The number of residents affected
- The socio-economic profile of displaced families
- The long-term development plan for the reclaimed land
The district administration has said that the reclaimed area will be fenced, reforested, and monitored closely to prevent future encroachment.
A Long History of Land Encroachment Conflicts in Assam
The Nagaon eviction is not an isolated incident but part of a broader series of operations conducted over the past four years. Several districts including Darrang, Barpeta, Sonitpur, and Lakhimpur have seen major eviction drives targeting forest land, grazing reserves, and wetlands.
Assam’s land crisis is deeply interconnected with:
- River erosion displacing lakhs annually
- Migration patterns shaped by economic insecurity
- High population pressure on limited arable land
- Historical land records lacking clarity in certain regions
These factors have created a cycle where displaced communities repeatedly occupy new land parcels, leading to recurring conflict with forest authorities.
What Happens to the Reclaimed 2,000 Acres Now?
According to official sources, the forest department will begin demarcating boundaries and planning land restoration activities in the coming months. These are expected to include:
- Plantation of indigenous tree species
- Rebuilding of wildlife corridors
- Soil restoration in degraded patches
- Setting up forest protection camps
Authorities believe that restoring the Kampur forest stretch could significantly boost local biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and reduce man-animal conflict in the region.
A Human Story Still Unfolding
While the administrative machinery moves into the restoration phase, the human consequences of the eviction are still emerging. Families living in makeshift camps face uncertain futures, school-going children suddenly find themselves displaced, and daily-wage earners are struggling to rebuild their means of income.
Local NGOs have begun offering aid, but long-term rehabilitation will require comprehensive government planning something experts say needs to be prioritised immediately to avoid worsening humanitarian distress.
As Assam continues its aggressive campaign to reclaim land, the state stands at a delicate crossroads. Balancing environmental protection, legal enforcement, and human dignity is a complex challenge one that will shape not only the landscape of Nagaon but the wider social fabric of the state in the years to come.
