Mugdha Das

Assam: Over 2,000 families were evicted from 3,500 bighas of land in Dhubri

Digital Desk: On Tuesday, the Dhubri district administration cleared about 3,500 bighas of government land by conducting a massive eviction drive across Charuwa-Bakhra, Santoshpur, and Chirakuta, which are about 55 kilometers from Dhubri town.

Bulldozers and other heavy equipment were used to tear down residential buildings, some of which had been there for decades. Prior to the operation, many residents willingly moved and dismantled their homes.

Officials said that more than 2,000 families had been living on the government-owned Khas land for a number of years. The Assam government's broader plan to give the land to the Adani Group for the establishment of a thermal power project under the Assam Power Development Corporation Limited (APDCL) includes the eviction.

According to government sources, each family that was evicted would get ₹50,000 in one-time financial assistance in response to the displacement. Furthermore, under the supervision of the Athani Revenue Circle Officer, landless families are being evaluated for rehabilitation at Boyjer-Alga.

As irate residents staged protests and blocked roads, tensions at the eviction sites increased. When the situation became tense, law enforcement acted quickly.

When Superintendent of Police Leena Doley arrived on the scene, she assumed direct command and assisted in reestablishing order despite persistent opposition.

In a related development, police stopped independent MLA Akhil Gogoi and took him into custody at Chapar Police Station after he tried to visit the eviction site.

According to sources, the situation has gotten unstable since Akhil Gogoi arrived. The majority of the families were already willing to leave the eviction localities, but some people started the mayhem.

Displaced families demanded adequate rehabilitation and compensation during intermittent protests that persisted throughout the day despite the administration's assurances.