Massive Eviction Drive in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary, 400 houses demolished

Guwahati

Near about 400 houses demolished  in a massive eviction drive launched by the administration on Monday against encroachers in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary. During he drive four persons including three women injured when police burst tear gas shells to disperse a menacing mob of encroachers attacking a team of forest personnel, district administration officials engaged in the operation carried out as per the directive of Gauhati High Court.

The police resorted to teargas shelling after the local residents stiffly resisted the eviction party, a photographer of Forest Department, Utpol Patgiri was seriously injured on being hit by stones thrown by protestors on the eviction party, according to the Director General of Assam Police.

About 400 houses of encroachers were demolished by the eviction party using elephants and escorted by over 3000 jawans of Assam Police. The High Court has asked the Kamrup District Administration to clear the wildlife sanctuary of encroachers by November 30.

Forest Minister Promila Rani Brahma said that the eviction drive would continue as per the directive of the court. She, however, said the flood-displaced people among the encroachers who are being evicted from the wildlife sanctuary, would be considered for rehabilitation by the government.

Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 78 square kilometers is located just about 15 kilometers away from Guwahati. It is home to large number of mammals, birds and reptiles. About 750 species of butterflies and 300 species of moths were recorded in the sanctuary as per record of Assam Forest Department. This wildlife area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in June 19, 2004 for protection of the natural eco-system threatened by encroachers.