A large eviction drive began early morning today at the Dahikata Reserve Forest in Goalpara district to clear encroachments spread over more than 1,100 bighas of land. The operation, one of the largest aims to reclaim forest land occupied by over 700 families.
The eviction, which started around 7 a.m., is being carried out under tight security. More than 900 personnel, including Assam Police, paramilitary forces, forest guards and commandos have been deployed to assist the district administration. Over 20 excavators and several heavy vehicles are being used to demolish houses and remove debris from the site.
Officials said the operation will continue on November 9 and 10. The move follows an announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who had earlier said that eviction from forest and government land would continue across the state. Sarma had also addressed the matter in a live session on his Facebook page dismissing reports of any postponement. “Certain groups are trying to create confusion and stop eviction drives,” the Chief Minister said. “But we will not allow anyone to change the demography of Assam. The eviction will go on as planned.” 
By Saturday afternoon, visuals from Dahikata showed several families dismantling their own houses before the administration’s machinery reached their localities. Many residents were seen removing tin sheets, wooden planks and household items. Some said they had lived there for decades and had nowhere else to go.
Officials from the district administration said that notices had been issued well in advance, giving occupants sufficient time to vacate the land. They added that the eviction is being carried out peacefully with efforts to avoid confrontation.
The Dahikata Reserve Forest located in the southern part of Goalpara has faced growing encroachment over the past decade. According to forest officials, large parts of the forest were gradually converted into settlements and agricultural land. The present operation is part of the state government’s wider campaign to recover forest areas under the Assam Forest Department’s conservation plan.
Earlier this year, a similar eviction took place at Hasila Beel in the same district where nearly 1,500 bighas of government land were freed from encroachment. That operation targeted around 667 illegal households, including makeshift schools and shops.
