Nalbari, July 1: The Assam government on Monday launched a major eviction drive to reclaim 82 bighas of encroached Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land in Bakrikuchi village under the Borkhetry revenue circle in Nalbari district.
The operation began at dawn and was backed by the deployment of 500 police personnel to maintain law and order. Officials confirmed that no clashes were reported during the demolition of unauthorized structures.
According to District Commissioner Nibedan Das Patowary, more than 70% of the 300 affected families had voluntarily vacated their dwellings following an eviction notice issued on June 3. The move follows the directive of the Gauhati High Court, which had earlier ordered the clearance of all encroachments on VGR land across Assam to preserve it for cattle grazing.
Inspector General of Police Akhilesh Kumar Singh, who supervised the drive, stated that the eviction proceeded peacefully with cooperation from residents.
During the operation, twelve bulldozers were deployed to demolish structures built on the 82 bighas of land. Authorities revealed that an additional 370 bighas, currently used for fisheries and agriculture, remain under review for possible future action.
Several of the displaced families have now taken temporary shelter along the village approach road, demanding rehabilitation and support. The evicted zone reportedly included schools, mosques, and Anganwadi centres, raising concerns about the welfare of the affected residents.
This is Assam’s second major eviction drive this month, following the June 15–16 operation in Hasilabeel, Goalpara, where 667 families were evicted.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards land encroachment. “Evictions will continue. Our biggest achievement is that people now think twice before occupying government land,” he said. Sarma added that the administration has conducted anti-encroachment drives in every district over the last four years.
The state government maintains that such drives are necessary to protect public land, especially VGR land meant for cattle grazing, from illegal occupation. Meanwhile, opposition leaders and rights groups have called for a humane approach and rehabilitation measures for the displaced.
