Assam Government Launches Eviction Drive in Nalbari to Clear Encroached VGR Land

Nalbari, Jun 30 (PTI) — The Assam government launched an eviction drive on Monday morning to clear encroachments from 82 bighas of village grazing reserve (VGR) land in Nalbari district, officials said.

The eviction operation commenced at Bakrikuchi village within the Borkhetry revenue circle early in the morning under heightened security.

No untoward incidents have occurred so far, District Commissioner Nibedan Das Patowary informed reporters here. Through a notice issued on June 3, the circle office had previously instructed the encroachers to vacate the VGR land. However, the residents approached the Gauhati High Court, which decreed that all VGR lands throughout the state must be cleared.

VGR land is allocated specifically for cattle grazing purposes in villages. "The residents on the encroached land have cooperated with the district administration, with over 70 percent of them relocating along with their belongings," Patowary reported.

Around 300 families had settled on the VGR, collaborating with the authorities, he stated. Approximately 500 security personnel have been deployed in the area, with additional forces on standby to avert any potential conflicts, IGP (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh, who is stationed at the location, mentioned. "The eviction has proceeded peacefully so far, encountering no resistance," he said.

A total of 452 bighas have been encroached upon. However, residential structures have only been erected on 82 bighas, with the remaining area being utilized for fisheries and agriculture. A report is underway, and appropriate actions will be determined based on its findings, according to a circle official.

The village also houses schools, mosques, and Anganwadi centres. In total, 12 bulldozers have been mobilized to dismantle the unauthorized structures.

Many of the displaced encroachers were observed camping with their belongings on the main road leading to the village, demanding adequate rehabilitation.

This is the second eviction drive in June, following a previous operation on June 15 and 16, when 667 families in Hasilabeel village in Goalpara district were evicted. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently affirmed that eviction drives to clear encroached lands will persist.

Numerous eviction efforts have been executed over the past four years, with the government ensuring that cleared lands are not re-encroached, Sarma stated. "We have conducted at least one eviction drive in each district, and our greatest achievement is instilling a fear of settling on encroached lands," he added.

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