A large eviction drive has started in the Jamuna–Moudanga reserved forest area under Doboka in Hojai district to clear a big stretch of land that officials say has been under illegal occupation for many years. The operation began on Friday morning and is being carried out by the district administration and the Forest Department.
According to officials, more than 6,000 bighas of protected forest land had been encroached upon. It is estimated that around 1,250 families had been staying in this area. To carry out the eviction, the administration has engaged over 50 bulldozers and earth-moving machines. A heavy security arrangement has also been made, with a large number of police and CRPF personnel deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incident.
Many of the residents started vacating the area earlier, after receiving notices from the administration. Several houses and temporary structures have already been dismantled. Officials said that most people left peacefully and cooperated with the process. 
The eviction drive is being supervised by Special Chief Secretary of Forest, M.K. Yadava, along with the Deputy Commissioner of Hojai, senior forest officers and police officials. They said the land belonged to a reserved forest and needed to be cleared to protect the natural environment and wildlife.
However, some groups have expressed concern over the timing of the eviction. They said that carrying out the operation on a Friday may hurt the sentiments of a section of the people. They urged the administration to be more sensitive while planning such actions.
