GUWAHATI, June 16: The BJP government in Assam on Monday launched a major eviction drive to clear illegal encroachment on approximately 1500 bighas of land near Hasila beel, a wetland in Goalpara district.
The eviction programme was launched amid tight security arrangements. There was, however, no resistance from the people and most of them left the place without application of force.
A total of 15 bulldozers rolled into the area and attempted to destroy over 600 houses which were built by encroachers there.
Goalpara district commissioner Khanindra Choudhury said the eviction drive was conducted peacefully in Hasila beel.
“There were about 1500 bighas of land near the wetland, which were illegally encroached upon. We served notice to the people in 2023 and in 2024 also. While some of them left and vacated the area, some have remained. We issued notice again this year and today we launched the eviction drive to clear the encroachment,” said the DC.
Interestingly, there were five government run lower primary (LP) schools set up in the encroached area followed by four offices of Jal Jeevan Mission, and there were electricity connection to the people. The people who were living in the area, however, said they have been living there since the last 50 years and that there were also beneficiaries of the government schemes like PM Awas Yojana.
It may be mentioned here that the BJP government in Assam has taken a strong stand against illegal encroachment on government lands . The government has been clearing eviction drives in different areas of the state including the state capital Guwahati.
Recently the government demolished a cooperative management institute in Guwahati to clear illegal encroachment in Silsako beel, another wetland. (UNI)
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