The Assam government has launched a sweeping eviction operation aimed at removing illegal encroachments from thousands of acres of reserved forest land in Uriamghat, a sensitive region that lies on the border with Nagaland. This ambitious initiative is part of a larger crackdown against what the state refers to as “illegal infiltration,” and targets encroachers who have taken over protected forest zones.

As part of this major drive, the government is in the process of clearing 11,000 bighas (approximately 3,600 acres) of land from the Rengma Reserve Forest. This land, which should have remained undisturbed as a vital ecological resource, was illegally occupied and converted into betel nut plantations. Officials believe these plantations are linked to the so-called "betel mafia"—a term used locally to describe an unregulated and powerful network involved in the trade of betel nuts.

According to officials, this latest phase of eviction—commenced on Tuesday, July 29—is not an isolated event. It forms part of a longer chain of operations spearheaded by the government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to remove illegal settlers from public and forest land. These efforts have gained urgency in light of growing concerns over demographic changes and forest depletion.

The scale of the operation is enormous. Around 2,000 families, accused of unlawfully occupying the forest land, have been identified as the main targets of this eviction. In anticipation of government action, many of these families have already left the area, reportedly moving to other parts of Assam to escape the crackdown.

To enforce the eviction, the government has deployed approximately 700–800 personnel, including members of the Assam Police, Forest Department, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Heavy machinery such as bulldozers and excavators have also been moved to the site to assist with the clearing of illegal structures and farmlands.

The eviction efforts follow a detailed land survey conducted across 30 villages in the Sarupathar sub-division. These surveys revealed the extent of the encroachment and also traced the origin of many of the encroachers. According to the Assam government, a large proportion of those illegally settling in the Rengma forest come from Muslim-majority districts such as Nagaon, Morigaon, Sonitpur, Cachar, Dhubri, Barpeta, and Hojai.

A district-level official confirmed the structure of the plan, stating: “The forest department has divided the area into nine blocks and the residents have been given notices to vacate the area in seven days. In preparation for the eviction, more than 1,500 forces including police, commandos and forest protection personnel have been deployed there.” This level of preparation underscores the seriousness with which the government is approaching the issue.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also emphasized the scale of land recovery achieved so far. He stated that 70% of the identified encroachers had already vacated voluntarily, demonstrating partial success in ensuring compliance without widespread confrontation. CM Sarma further pointed out that in the past four years, the government had reclaimed 1.29 lakh bighas (approximately 42,500 acres) of land. However, he acknowledged that nearly 29 lakh bighas (around 9.5 lakh acres) are still under encroachment, indicating that the road ahead remains long.

Reacting to the developments, the Nagaland government has urged its border districts to stay vigilant and ensure that no illegal settlers cross over into their territory, which could further complicate the sensitive inter-state dynamics.

To clarify the intentions behind the drive, BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan stated: “More than 90 per cent of the people have already cleared their possessions and left.” His comment was aimed at dismissing accusations that the eviction is targeted or discriminatory in nature.

Meanwhile, CM Sarma took to social media to express his sentiments. While sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter), he stressed the cultural implications of the encroachments. “In Uriamghat, our young generation is proudly practicing our culture, which the encroachers wanted to destroy by altering the demography. These people and their supporters should realise that Assam is the land where culture blooms in every corner and resonates in every heart,” he wrote.

This message encapsulates the emotional and cultural stakes that the Assam government associates with its fight against illegal encroachments—one that goes beyond law and land, and deep into the identity and future of the state.