The state government of Assam has intensified its efforts to recover state-owned property from illegal settlers, marking a significant step forward in its land reclamation campaign. On Monday, February 9th, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided a crucial update regarding the ongoing anti-encroachment drive, specifically focusing on the Sribhumi district. Highlighting the administration's firm stance against illegal occupation, the Chief Minister reported that a massive area of 660 hectares of forest land had been successfully cleared of squatters within a span of just 48 hours.

The operation is far from over, as authorities push to recover the remaining portions of the targeted land. In a statement regarding the progress of the drive, the Chief Minister said, “660 Hectares reclaimed in Sribhumi in the last 2 days- 220 hectares more to be cleared. The relentless pursuit continues.”

To bring public attention to the reality on the ground, Mr. Sarma shared a video of the eviction drive on social media. Interestingly, the footage was accompanied by the background score of the popular song “Rikiya ke papa” by Bhojpuri singer and Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Manoj Tiwari, adding a distinct cultural signature to the announcement of the administrative action.

Massive Mobilization in Patharkandi

The groundwork for this massive operation began on Sunday, February 8th. Authorities launched significant action targeting unlawful settlements located within the reserved forests of the Patharkandi constituency. This specific initiative is part of a much larger ambition to reclaim over 12,000 hectares of encroached property across the region.

Prior to the physical removal of structures, the administration ensured that due process was followed. Eviction orders were served to more than 2,000 households—estimated by various sources to represent approximately 1,000 families. The notices explicitly instructed illegal residents in several specific villages to vacate the forest land within a set timeframe. The affected villages included Isharpar, Madhabpur, Balia, Madhurbond, Chagalmoya, Magura, and Jogisora.

Witnessing the seriousness of the administration's intent, compliance was observed among many residents. following the notices, a significant number of people began voluntarily demolishing their own homes and vacating the area before authorities arrived.

Elephants and Heavy Machinery Deployed

To ensure the operation proceeds smoothly and safely, a robust security apparatus has been put in place. Senior district and forest officials are currently stationed on location, supported by heavy assistance from police and paramilitary troops to uphold law and order. With many individuals having already abandoned their houses, the teams are now concentrating on clearing encroachment from the remaining settlements.

The logistical scale of the operation is vast. The primary goal is to restore the area to its original forest condition, which requires the complete removal of illegal houses, temporary buildings, and overgrown vegetation. To navigate the difficult and uneven terrain of the forest, the administration has employed a traditional yet effective method: using elephants to assist the ground teams.

Alongside the elephants, modern mechanical power has been dispatched in full force. Over fifty pieces of heavy machinery, including JCBs and excavators, are currently operating on the ground. To ensure the drive continues without interruption or conflict, additional officers from the state’s forest and police divisions have been assigned to supervise the operation and maintain peace.

According to officials, the current eviction affects several reserved forest regions in Patharkandi, specifically Madhurban, Narayanpur, Chagalmowa, Madhabpur, Badshahi, and Dohalia. They reiterated that this initiative is not an isolated event but a component of a continuous program designed to rehabilitate forest areas and stop further encroachments permanently.

A Continued Campaign: The Hailakandi Precedent

This drive in Sribhumi follows closely on the heels of a similar, successful exercise implemented recently in the Hailakandi district. The state's commitment to this cause was firmly articulated by the Chief Minister just a week prior.

Reflecting on the success in Hailakandi on February 3rd, Sarma remarked, “912 acres, an area bigger than the campus of IIT Guwahati has been freed in Hailakandi. As our bulldozers rolled in since yesterday, we reaffirmed our commitment to reclaim every inch of our land from encroachers. It’s a question of our survival, and we shall emerge victorious.”