Assam's Bold Stance on Encroachment: Prioritizing Indigenous Rights

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma differentiates between encroachments by indigenous people and suspected foreigners on public land. The government will continue eviction drives against encroachments by suspected foreigners in the state, emphasizing that unauthorized occupation by indigenous populations is not considered encroachment.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that unauthorized occupation of public land by indigenous people will not be considered encroachment. His comments came during a BJP program amid ongoing eviction drives across the state targeting illegal settlers from Bangladesh.

The Chief Minister specified a distinction between encroachments, stating that while indigenous peoples' unauthorized land use is permissible, those by suspected foreigners will face evictions. This approach aligns with the state's intensified efforts to reclaim illegally occupied lands.

Large-scale eviction operations have already begun in areas such as Golaghat district, where nearly 11,000 bighas of forest land are under such occupation. Sarma has maintained that these drives will continue until all identified areas are cleared, underscoring the focus on suspected foreign encroachers.

(With inputs from agencies.)