The Assam government has launched its biggest anti-encroachment drive yet, clearing over roughly 11,000 bighas (~3,600 acres) in Uriamghat’s Rengma Reserve Forest, near the Assam–Nagaland border. This isn’t just a land dispute; it’s against illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya encroachers who have taken over state-owned land for years with impunity.
This time, over 2,648 illegal structures across 12 villages have been marked for demolition. The operation is fully supported by 2,000 police personnel, 500 forest officials, and over 100 excavators, a scale unmatched in Assam’s history.
The Villages Under Focus:
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Encroached areas identified include:
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Madhupur
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Dayalpur
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Bidyapur
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Kherbari
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Doloni Pathar
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Sonaribil Top, and more
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These houses are over 2,600+ structures, reportedly occupied by Muslims from Bangladesh-origin settlements, while those with legal FRC titles belong to Bodo, Nepali, and other indigenous communities. And over 950+ families vacated voluntarily before demolition commenced, and Nagaland issued advisories to prevent cross-border settlement
Why It Matters: More Than Just Land
This isn’t the first time Assam has made headlines for its bulldozer strategy. Under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, eviction drives are no longer rare; they are now routine. Whether it’s in Dudu Colony, Karimganj, or Bokajan, the message is loud: India is not a dumping ground for illegal infiltrators.
And it’s not just about trees or land. The Bokajan-Lahorijan stretch along NH-39, a vital economic corridor, is choked by unauthorised settlements. These are not random huts; they are strategic camps, often linked with crime, drug peddling, and identity fraud.
Deputy Speaker Dr. Numal Momin minced no words:
“Not one inch for doubtful citizens. Drug peddlers’ homes will be razed without delay.”
The Pattern Is National
Assam is just the beginning. Similar settlements exist in Bengal, Bihar, UP, and even parts of Delhi. In most cases:
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Land is illegally captured in the forest or public zones
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Identity fraud helps get local documents
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Settlers claim victimhood when caught
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Leftist media narrative kicks in: saying “humanitarian crisis”
But Assam isn’t playing along anymore. It’s setting the template.
What’s Next?
While evictions are crucial, they must be followed by identification, detention, and deportation. Otherwise, these illegal settlers will just move to the next available plot.
The land must be reclaimed, but the country must also reclaim its sovereignty.
Assam has drawn the line, but this issue isn’t confined to one state. Illegal encroachment is a nationwide crisis, stretching from Bengal to Delhi, from Uttar Pradesh to Kerala. What’s needed now is a systematic, uncompromising response.
First, all illegal settlements must be identified and properly documented.
Second, existing laws must be enforced swiftly and without appeasement.
Third, advanced tools like satellite mapping, Aadhaar verification, and digital land records should be used to reclaim public land.
Crucially, eviction must be followed by deportation; otherwise, the illegal settlers will simply relocate and begin encroaching elsewhere.
As the positive impact of Assam’s firm action begins to show, other states will find in it a clear and successful model to follow. Encouragingly, Delhi and Gujarat are already initiating similar efforts.
The groundwork has been laid; now it must grow into a nationwide movement.
