The Dibrugarh district administration conducted a large-scale eviction drive on Monday along the Brahmaputra riverbank in the Maijan area, removing approximately 60 families who had been illegally residing there for over a decade. The operation successfully reclaimed nearly 9 bighas of encroached land, where several families had constructed permanent RCC houses.
Residents Allege Broker Scam
During the eviction, many affected residents claimed they had paid substantial sums to land brokers to settle in the area. "Seven years ago, we paid Rs 1.5 lakh to a broker who assured us the land was legal. Now we have lost both our money and our home," said an evicted woman. Residents reported that payments to brokers ranged between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, describing it as an organized racket that illegally sold government land for profit.
Court Order and Peaceful Operation
The eviction followed an order from the district and sessions court in Dibrugarh, after due notices were served to the occupants. A large police contingent was deployed as a precaution, but the operation proceeded peacefully. Families were seen removing their belongings before excavators demolished the structures.
"We had made adequate security arrangements keeping in mind the scale of the eviction, but the residents cooperated fully with the administration. There was no untoward incident during the entire operation," said Samujjwal Borah, circle officer of Dibrugarh East revenue circle, who led the drive.
Reclaimed Land to Be Protected
Officials stated that the reclaimed land would now be brought under administrative control to prevent further encroachment. "What began as a small settlement gradually grew into a full-fledged colony over the past decade. The encroachment had reached a point where it posed serious concerns for the riverbank ecosystem and future flood management. Strict measures will be enforced to ensure no fresh encroachment occurs," an official said.
The eviction is part of the administration's broader initiative to protect riverbank areas from unauthorized occupation and safeguard them for flood control and environmental purposes. During the drive, 60 families were evicted.
