Eviction Drive in Assam's Lakhimpur Clears 78 Acres Land

North Lakhimpur (Assam), Jul 3 (PTI) – An eviction drive impacting approximately 220 families was executed in Lakhimpur district, Assam, Thursday. This initiative was aimed at clearing 235 bighas, roughly 78 acres, of land alleged to be under encroachment. Officials confirmed the development. The eviction was undertaken by district authorities at four locations, including three Village Grazing Reserves (VGR).

Lakhimpur District Commissioner Pronab Jit Kakoty stated that the eviction operation commenced early in the morning, adhering to all necessary protocols. Prior notices were issued on June 29, demanding residents to present land ownership documents, which they failed to provide. Consequently, the eviction proceeded as planned. Kakoty reported that the drive was supported by approximately 400 security personnel and employed 21 bulldozers and excavators.

The specific areas involved in the operation were Debera Doloni, Siringsuk, Dhakuakhonia, and Raang Chali. Kakoty indicated that a total of 218 families had settled on the 235 bighas targeted in the drive. The eviction process was expected to conclude within a few hours, and there had been no reported disturbances while reclaiming the land.

Among the 218 families, 25 were identified as belonging to indigenous communities, while the remaining predominantly consisted of Bengali-speaking Muslims, as per another official’s statement. The government intends to reallocate land to the 25 indigenous families at an alternate location.

Previously, on June 18, seven individuals were apprehended following the discovery of three suspected cow skulls near a Namghar in Dhakuakhonia, a location within the eviction zone. Moreover, 80 people were arrested for allegedly discarding beef remnants during the recent Eid festivities across Dhubri, Hojai, Goalpara, and Lakhimpur districts.