Forest Land, No Rights… But They Settled Anyway: Eviction Underway in Assam's Burha Chapori

A tense situation unfolded on Monday during a large-scale eviction drive inside Assam’s Burha Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, as a section of alleged encroachers attempted to obstruct the operation, leading to heated confrontations with police and district administration officials.

Despite resistance on the ground, the Sonitpur District Administration, in coordination with the Nagaon Forest Department, pressed ahead with the eviction to reclaim 6,200 bighas of government land earmarked for Compensatory Afforestation.

Officials said the land had been illegally occupied for years, with encroachers building houses and carrying out extensive agricultural activities inside the protected forest area.

Heavy Deployment, Crops Destroyed

The eviction drive, conducted across Baghetapu, Batoli Char and Airmari Char, saw a massive security deployment. Police personnel in full riot gear, armed to maintain law and order, accompanied the operation.

The district authorities deployed 36 excavators (JCBs), 60 tractors and cutting machines, along with over 300 personnel, including police and forest department staff. Large stretches of cultivated land were cleared, destroying crops such as Pumpkin, Brinjal, Cabbage, Mustard and other vegetables spread across hundreds of bighas.

A mosque at Arimari and Batoli Chars was demolished as part of the drive. However, officials ensured that religious texts, including the Quran and madrasa books, were carefully preserved and safeguarded.

Clashes, Media Obstructed

According to sources present at the site, some encroachers allegedly attempted to intimidate and drive away journalists, triggering sharp verbal altercations with the police and security forces deployed in the area. The situation remained tense for a while but was brought under control, allowing the eviction to continue.

It has also come to light that a few encroachers, allegedly out of frustration, tried to force security personnel and media teams to leave the area. Some were heard expressing political resentment, claiming they would not vote for the BJP in the upcoming elections, linking the eviction drive to electoral anger on the ground.

Notices Issued Earlier

District authorities said that eviction notices were served nearly a month ago, asking occupants to vacate the land voluntarily. However, with the notice period lapsing and the land still occupied, the administration moved in to clear the area.

As part of the operation, around 710 families are set to be evicted, along with the clearance of illegal residential structures and farmlands.

Speaking to DY365, Sonitpur District Commissioner Ananda Kumar Das said the law and order situation remained under control.

“The area encroached today is primarily used for agriculture. We have two days to complete the eviction drive, but we are hopeful of finishing by tomorrow. The law and order situation is under control, and many people have vacated voluntarily. This is a forest area, and no one can claim the right to settle here under any circumstances,” Das said.

Referring to previous eviction attempts in the sanctuary, he added:

“We had conducted an eviction earlier in Burha Chapori, but some people attempted to re-settle despite repeated announcements.”

Das emphasized that the drive is part of the state government’s broader initiative to reclaim protected forest and wildlife areas from encroachment and restore land designated for environmental conservation.

Senior Superintendent of Police Barun Purkayastha said the operation was carried out with restraint, ensuring no harm to lives or religious sentiments.

“Nearly 3,000 bighas of land have been reclaimed on the first day, and about 30 per cent of illegal structures have been removed peacefully,” officials said.

Encroachers’ Tactics Alleged

Officials also flagged disturbing practices allegedly used by encroachers. According to them, raw mustard was used to prematurely ripen crops, which were then pushed into markets to claim profits—highlighting the extent of exploitation of forest land for commercial gain.

Human Cost on Display

Amid the enforcement action, heart-wrenching scenes unfolded at the site.

A small child was seen crying on the ground, her home demolished and belongings reduced to rubble. Mothers pleaded with officials for shelter, underscoring the human cost of the eviction drive.

One resident, while admitting that the land was forest territory, spoke about long-term displacement caused by river erosion:

“My father settled here long back and I was born here. It has been 60 to 70 years now. Earlier, our lands were swept away by river erosion during the monsoon. We had nowhere else to go, so we came here and built our house. We know this is forest land,” the resident said.

Political Angle

Sources said some of the evicted individuals were affiliated with the BJP, but district administration proceeded with the demolition regardless of political identity, emphasizing strict enforcement of forest and land laws.

The Burha Chapori eviction drive is expected to continue over the next two days as district administration aim to fully restore the sanctuary land and prevent fresh encroachment.

The operation once again brings into focus the difficult balance between environmental conservation and humanitarian concerns, especially in a state where river erosion continues to displace thousands every year.

Also Read: “Cannot Go Beyond High Court Orders on Eviction,” Says Assam CM