In a significant move against illegal occupation, the Assam government has successfully reclaimed a vast stretch of forest land in the state's Hojai district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared the completion of a major eviction drive, freeing over 5,000 bighas of protected reserve forest from encroachers.
Mission Accomplished: A Decisive Action
On Saturday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a firm announcement regarding the Jamuna-Maudanga Reserve Forest. He stated that over 5,250 bighas of land have been cleared of illegal encroachments through a peaceful and lawful operation. Sarma took to social media platform X to declare "GAME OVER" for the encroachers in the area, emphasizing that the mission was completed decisively.
The Chief Minister's message was clear and carried a warning. "No cheat codes needed. Consider this your warning," he added, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal occupation of government and forest lands across Assam.
Scale of Encroachment and Eviction
The Jamuna-Maudanga Reserve Forest spans more than 8,000 bighas. According to the state government's assessment, a substantial portion—5,250 bighas—was under illegal occupation. This land was settled by over 1,500 families, who primarily belong to a minority community, as per official statements.
District Commissioner Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati provided further details on the encroachers. He noted that some claimed to have occupied the forest land for more than three decades, while others said they had been residing there for approximately 20 years. The administration's investigation revealed that many of these families owned land outside the forest area in other parts of Hojai and neighbouring districts. Their primary reason for settling on the protected forest land was for cultivation purposes.
Ongoing Drive and Broader Context
This eviction in Hojai is not an isolated incident but part of a sustained campaign initiated by the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government since it came to power in 2021. The administration has undertaken a series of drives to clear alleged encroachments from government and forest lands.
These actions have largely affected the Bengali-speaking Muslim population in the state. Earlier, on New Year's Day, the Chief Minister had stated that a massive 1.45 lakh bighas of forest and government land had been freed from encroachment over the past five years. The government's stance was further clarified in November last year when Sarma asserted that eviction drives would continue and that "illegal Miyas" would not have peace under his administration.
The reclamation of the Jamuna-Maudanga Reserve Forest marks another major step in this ongoing policy, reinforcing the state's commitment to protecting its forest resources and government land from unauthorized settlement.
