- विज्ञापन -
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Friday that individuals from as far as Manipur are arriving in the state to illegally occupy land. He reaffirmed his government’s dedication to eliminating all illegal settlements, including those on forest land. Sarma pointed out that these encroachments often follow a pattern where a small group initially migrates to a location, begins cultivation, and then attracts others to establish large illegal settlements.
He mentioned that during a recent eviction drive in Lakhimpur, authorities discovered people from Manipur, and currently, 12 families from Manipur and Nagaon had reached there. These families are expected to be sent back by district officials. Sarma also noted that many encroachers claiming to be from districts like Goalpara or neighboring states might actually originate from West Bengal or even Bangladesh, emphasizing tightened surveillance after recent detections of 16 illegal Bangladeshis. He suggested that many of these illegal settlers disappear within a month or two.
Highlighting a recurring pattern, Sarma cited examples from Lumding, where large areas were found to be under ginger cultivation, and from Uriamghat in Golaghat district, where betel nut cultivation is underway, as well as districts like Sribhumi and Hailakandi, where rubber plantations have emerged. He explained that preparations are underway for an eviction drive in Uriamghat, which could take four to five months due to legal procedures, including informing Nagaland, as the area borders the state.
Sarma showed a video of betel nut cultivation and alleged that the ‘Myanmar supari’ (betel nut) found in Uriamghat is mixed with local varieties to pass off as indigenous produce. When asked about action against officials complicity, he responded that some forest rangers were present with the encroachers and assured that disciplinary action will be taken.
He also criticized local politicians, saying they ignore illegal settlements once they reach a population of 5,000-10,000, turning such areas into vote banks. Since assuming office in May 2021, his government claims to have cleared 119,548 bighas of land of encroachments affecting around 50,000 people. Currently, approximately 63 lakh bighas of land, including 29 lakh bighas of forest land, are still under illegal occupation. Sarma alleged that most of the encroachers belong to a particular religion, suggesting an ‘invasion’ of indigenous communities, though he did not specify further. It is implied that many of those evicted are Bengali-speaking Muslims.
