The people of Assam have spoken and the Himanta government has acted decisively. After decades of illegal encroachment and years of appeals by the indigenous tribal communities, Himanta Sarma’s government has stepped in to restore their ancestral lands.
The recent eviction drive in Kochutoli village, Kamrup district, marks a significant victory in Assam’s ongoing struggle to protect its tribal belts and blocks. Under the leadership of CM Himanta Sarma, the government has shown its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of the indigenous people. Let’s explore this reaffirming tale that shows Assam’s lands belong to its people, not to illegal settlers!
Assam And A Historic Eviction For Tribal Rights
In a massive anti-encroachment drive by Himanta govt, huge tribal belt enchroached by illegal squatters cleared. Congress protests. Multiple Assam Policemen were injured.
Thousands of illegal Bangladeshi and Royingya vacated! Locals thank Himanta da & celebrate early Diwali pic.twitter.com/C4vqvQraYo
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 17, 2024
The 400 acre eviction drive in Kochutoli was not just about reclaiming land. This was a fight for justice for Assam’s tribal communities. Their lands were encroached upon for decades. The illegal settlers, mostly Bangladeshi Muslims, were occupying this land designated as tribal territory. The land was safeguarded under the laws that date back to 1950, when Assam’s first Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi, had established special provisions to protect these areas.
Over time, these lands were unlawfully seized by these ‘GHUSPETHIYE’ settlers, threatening the very existence of Assam’s indigenous people.
The Himanta Sarma government gave a deadline of 16th September 2024 to vacate the encroached lands. The illegal settlers, the Miya Muslims, were seen loading their belongings onto vans, including livestock, as they began leaving Kochutoli.
Itna Sannata Kyun Hai 🕌
The Quaran is removed, Sound System 📢is removed, all belongings of the Masjid 🕌 is removed in Sonapur of Assam.
Masjid will be demolished as part of eviction drive by #Assam Govt in Tribal belt area in next 24 hours, as the three day deadline ends… pic.twitter.com/DnaNqH7hzu
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) September 16, 2024
According to officials, these settlers had land in other districts like Darrang, Morigaon, and Barpeta.
Yet, they insisted on continuing to occupy tribal land illegally.
After our Assam Govt’s eviction drive, the encroachers of the tribal lands in Sonapur are now going back.
They came from Morigaon & Darrang, encroached tribal belt’s land in Sonapur & started living.
They follow same Modus Operandi everywhere, be it Gorukhuti or Sonapur. This… pic.twitter.com/5ovViVneT4
— Ashok Singhal (@TheAshokSinghal) September 15, 2024
However, the eviction process was not peaceful. During the drive, a violent mob attacked officials and police with sharp weapons, sticks, and stones. The clashes left two villagers dead and over 35 people injured, including 22 government officials and police personnel. In response, the police were forced to open fire to control the situation. Despite the violence, the government pressed ahead, determined to restore the land to its rightful owners.
This is how Miyas attacked Assam Police who went to evict the illegal encroachment of Tribal Land in Sonapur, Assam.
But Congress is supporting these encroachers. pic.twitter.com/JX3z7rGFXW
— Voice of Assam (@VoiceOfAxom) September 14, 2024
Congress Instigates, Himanta Sarma Restores
CM Himanta Sarma minced no words when he pointed out the political games being played by the Congress in Assam. He alleged that Congress is eager to protect its Miya Muslim vote bank. Thus, it had instigated the illegal settlers to resist eviction violently. Additionally, CM Sarma accused Congress of using these settlers as pawns in the game of politics in Assam.
As per him, Assam Congress is pushing these illegal settlers to attack police and government officials in a bid to undermine the eviction process.
हेंकडी निकल गई?
🌵They engage in crimes, illegally encroach of Assamese Tribals's Land.
🌵They attack & injure 25 Police Personnel.
😍Assam has BJP CM in .@himantabiswa Ji.
🔥Now, Bangladeshi Miya Mu$£im encroachers are fleeing Sonapur in 1000s of trucks. pic.twitter.com/wjNJ9n02rs— Nehra (@Nehra_Singh80) September 15, 2024
“The laws protecting tribal belts were enacted by the Congress government in 1950, yet it is Congress that has betrayed the very people they sought to protect,” Sarma remarked. He reaffirmed his government’s stance, stating, “We will clear the tribal belts and blocks of all encroachment by doubtful illegal settlers. The protection of our indigenous people cannot be compromised.”
CM Himanta Sarma’s resolve to continue the eviction drive is a direct response to years of negligence and political opportunism. Under Congress’s watch, illegal settlers continued to expand their control over tribal lands, leaving indigenous communities marginalized and powerless. Sarma’s government has made it clear that such exploitation will no longer be tolerated.
#Assam Chief Minister @himantabiswa on September 14 criticized the Congress party today over its stance on the Tribal Belt and Block Law.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma highlighted the inconsistency in #Congress's position, noting that the law, which was originally enacted by the… pic.twitter.com/ymOCAmY4Y0
— India Today NE (@IndiaTodayNE) September 14, 2024
Conspiracy or Justice?
Mama @himantabiswa never disappoints you…..eviction drive continues with Bulldozers 🚜after every fortnight. Today 50 suspected Bangladeshi house was demolished, who was living without any documents for 30/40 years.
Illegally living in #Assam is not easy like in Congress days. pic.twitter.com/zTfN3xiWvh— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) January 10, 2024
As the eviction drive unfolded, speculation swirls around the violence that erupted. DGP G.P. Singh suggested that the attack on police personnel might have been a “conspiracy” by a certain section of society. The eviction had been proceeding peacefully since 9th September 2024. However, suddenly it turned violent on 12th September 2024. Thus, they suspect that external forces, with political motivations, had a hand in instigating the violence. Consequently, these suspicions raise important questions.
bengali muslim who settle before 1947 protesting against newly illegal bangldeshi miya settler.
they said to have no relation with sylheti miya Bangladeshi
they even stop congress to enter the eviction site and said to help assam government in eviction and safety of tribal belt pic.twitter.com/eGegTCVug2— Axomiya Kalita (@rightwingwallah) September 14, 2024
Was this resistance truly about land rights?
Or
Was it part of a larger, orchestrated effort to challenge the government’s authority?
Despite these setbacks, the eviction drive continued. Assam’s government is determined to complete the restoration of tribal lands, standing firm in the face of resistance. Therefore, the eviction of illegal settlers is not just about clearing land. It is a fight to reclaim Assam’s identity and protect its heritage. Additionally, it a fight to ensure justice for the indigenous people who have long been ignored.
National Pride, Tribal Justice
The return of tribal lands to their rightful owners is a source of immense pride for Assam. Additionally, this isn’t just a local issue, it’s a national one. In a country where tribal communities often find themselves sidelined, the Assam government’s actions represent a broader movement toward justice for India’s indigenous populations.
Thus, by restoring these lands, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government has sent a clear message: India will not tolerate the exploitation of its native peoples for political or personal gain. This victory for the tribal communities of Assam is a victory for all Indians who believe in justice, fairness, and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage. Consequently, the pro-eviction tribal organizations stand in support of the government’s actions.
#evict illegal encroachers from Tribal Belt and Blocks of Assam as per the Hon'ble Guwahati High Court's order #GiveUsBackOurLand
— United Tribal Organization Of Assam (@TribalAssam) September 17, 2024
When Congress and AIUDF MLAs attempted to enter the village, they were blocked by pro-eviction tribal groups.
This demonstrated the depth of support for the government’s efforts to protect tribal lands from illegal settlers. The Congress, predictably, has criticized the eviction drive. They alleged that the state government violated court orders by not issuing relevant notices for eviction. Moroever, they claim that both the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court had ruled on the matter. However, the larger question remains: Why did Congress, during its decades in power, fail to protect the tribal belts and blocks as it was legally bound to do? Additionally, their criticism of the eviction drive seems more like a defensive move to cover up their long-standing failures.
The Road Ahead: A New Era for Assam’s Tribals
The eviction drive in Kochutoli is just the beginning. Assam’s tribal communities have waited decades for their land to be returned. Therefore, for them, this recent success marks the start of a new era.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government has made it clear that no illegal encroachment will be tolerated on tribal land.
Thus, as Assam moves forward, the restoration of tribal lands represents a significant step toward empowering indigenous people. Additionally, it showcases the correcting of historical wrongs. The nationalist movement behind this eviction drive is about more than just land. This eviction drive is about honoring the promises made to Assam’s tribes. Thereby, ensuring that their culture, traditions, and livelihoods are preserved for future generations.
