Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the eviction drive in the Paikan Reserve Forest area of Goalpara district will start on July 12. The eviction drive has postponed to respect Friday congregational prayers (Jumma).
Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, CM Sarma said, “Evictions in the Paikan Reserve Forest of Goalpara will definitely take place. However, due to Friday prayers (Jumma), the operation will not begin tomorrow. We have scheduled it to commence from July 12. We do respect the religious sentiments of people.”
He explained that the eviction is part of the government’s efforts to restore the demographic balance in Assam. “If the BJP hadn’t come to power, this balance would not have been restored,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the government has already taken strong action in areas like Lumding, Borsola, and Goalpara, where illegal settlements have developed over time.
“People cannot simply claim to be landless and illegally occupy an entire town or constituency. Those who are genuinely landless have the option to apply for land rights through government schemes like Basundhara. But illegal occupation with the intent to alter demographic patterns unacceptable,” Sarma said.
Focusing on Goalpara, CM Sarma claimed that over 10,000 families from Baghbor had settled there unlawfully. He alleged that this happened with support from a former forest minister and a divisional forest officer, which he said violated the law.
