In a move that has sparked concern, multiple families were forcibly removed from railway property in Guwahati on a chilly Tuesday morning. The eviction was conducted by authorities of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) at Maligaon, the very location that serves as the NFR's headquarters.
Eviction Amidst Biting Cold
The timing of the drive has drawn sharp criticism as it has left numerous individuals, including women and children, without shelter during a period of cold weather. Guwahati recorded a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius just a day before the eviction, on Monday, making the situation particularly harsh for the displaced. Families were seen scrambling through the rubble of their demolished homes, searching for salvagable belongings amidst the ruins.
Profile of the Displaced and Broader Context
Reports indicate that a significant number of the evicted families belong to the Bengali-speaking Muslim community. This incident did not occur in isolation. It takes place against the backdrop of a series of eviction drives being undertaken across Assam under the state's BJP-led government. These drives often target lands claimed to be government or protected property.
The visual aftermath was stark: bulldozers left behind piles of debris where homes once stood. The Northeast Frontier Railway, which executed the drive, has not immediately provided detailed rehabilitation plans for the affected families, raising urgent questions about their immediate future and shelter as night temperatures continue to drop.
Immediate Fallout and Lingering Questions
The immediate consequence is a humanitarian crisis, with many now homeless. The event underscores the ongoing tension between land rights, encroachment policies, and the welfare of vulnerable populations in Assam. As the state continues with such drives, the balance between administrative action and human impact remains a critical and deeply contested issue. The search for a sustainable and humane resolution continues for those displaced on that cold January morning in Guwahati.
