Editor
Assam Evicts 309 Families from Grazing Land in Biswanath
175 bighas of encroached land cleared; AAMSU protests, ethnic groups back move
The Assam government on Sunday cleared 309 families from grazing reserve land in Biswanath district, officials confirmed. Nearly 175 bighas (23 hectares) of the Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) at Japariguri were freed during the day-long operation.
Eviction Carried Out Peacefully
Over 600 security personnel and 20 excavators were deployed for the drive. Biswanath Deputy Commissioner Simanta Kumar Das said most families had left before the operation began, following notices served on August 1. Remaining structures, including a tea garden, were demolished.
Divided Reactions
Officials said the evicted families were mainly from the Bengali-speaking Muslim community. The All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) slammed the action as “inhuman,” demanding that evictions stop until a rehabilitation policy is in place.
In contrast, several ethnic organizations supported the drive, linking it to the ongoing ‘Miya Kheda Andolan’ — a campaign against alleged encroachment on community land.
Larger Context
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his Independence Day speech, said “aggression” had changed the demography of lower and central Assam, and that similar measures would continue in other regions.
What's Next
The Biswanath eviction highlights Assam’s ongoing tussle over land, identity, and rehabilitation, with further operations expected in the coming months.