In a major step to reclaim forest land, the Assam government launched a significant eviction drive on Sunday, targeting over 1,000 bighas (133 hectares) of allegedly encroached land in the Nambor South Reserve Forest area of Golaghat district. The move comes immediately after the completion of a five-day operation that cleared nearly 11,000 bighas (1,500 hectares) in the nearby Rengma Reserve Forest. The ongoing initiative aims to restore large tracts of forest land, said to be illegally occupied by hundreds of families over time.

The eviction operation began early in the day, focusing on the villages of Gelajan and No. 3 Rajapukhuri. More than 350 households were evicted during the course of the operation, which local authorities claimed was executed without resistance. Heavy police deployment and pre-emptive administrative measures ensured that the situation remained peaceful, with no reported incidents of violence or protest from the affected families. Temporary shelters and essential supplies are expected to be arranged for the displaced, though there is yet no official confirmation on rehabilitation efforts.

According to an official press release, the eviction drive was marked by strong coordination between forest, police, and civil authorities. The goal, officials say, is to protect the ecological integrity of Assam’s reserve forests, which have faced mounting pressure due to unauthorized settlements. Environmentalists have welcomed the move, though some human rights groups have raised concerns over the displacement of vulnerable families. With more such operations planned in other reserve forest regions, the state government appears determined to push forward with its land reclamation agenda.