Assam: Eviction Drive in Lakhimpur, Assam Clears 235 Bighas, Affects Over 200 Families

NORTH LAKHIMPUR-  A large-scale eviction drive was conducted today in Assam’s Lakhimpur district, targeting alleged encroachments across four locations: Rangsali, Christanbasti, Engarkhua, and Sensowa. The operation, aimed at reclaiming approximately 235 bighas (78 acres) of Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land, impacted over 218 families, according to district officials.

The eviction drive, which began at dawn, was carried out under stringent security measures, with around 400 personnel deployed and 21 bulldozers and excavators in use to clear the encroached land.

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Lakhimpur District Commissioner Pronab Jit Kakoty stated that the administration followed due protocol, having served eviction notices to the families on June 29, 2025. “We asked them to produce supporting documents for their occupied land, but they failed to provide any,” Kakoty said, justifying the operation.

The drive has sparked mixed reactions. Authorities assured that the process was legal and that rehabilitation support would be provided to displaced indigenous families.

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The operation aligns with the Assam government’s ongoing efforts to reclaim encroached land, particularly VGR lands designated for cattle grazing, as mandated by the Gauhati High Court. This follows similar drives in the state, including a recent operation in Nalbari district on June 30, where 82 bighas were cleared.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been vocal about the state’s commitment to addressing encroachments, recently highlighting plans to reclaim over 4,400 acres of land belonging to Vaishnavite satras, including 896.76 bighas in Lakhimpur. The government’s actions are part of broader initiatives like the “Advantage Assam 2.0” project, which involves land acquisition for development.

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The Congress party has criticized the government’s approach, raising concerns about alleged irregularities in related projects like the Gorukhuti Multipurpose Agriculture Project, which was established after a 2021 eviction drive in the region.

While the administration emphasizes legal compliance and development goals, the human impact of today’s eviction has left many families displaced, with authorities promising to address rehabilitation needs. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.