"Assam Govt Using Evictions as Political Weapon": Asom Nagarik Samaj

The Asom Nagarik Samaj has opposed the ongoing Assam government-led eviction drives across Assam, alleging that ever since the BJP government under Himanta Biswa Sarma came to power, a conspiracy has been underway to hand over Assam’s land to multinational corporations.

Speaking to media persons, Advocate Shantanu Borthakur criticised the state government's handling of the eviction process in Goalpara's Paikan Reserve Forest, calling it “inhumane, politically motivated, and legally questionable.” He highlighted serious lapses in procedure and accused the government of using evictions as a political tool.

Borthakur said, “The firing incident that occurred today in Goalpara's  is a direct consequence of the Assam government’s current approach to eviction. Yes, the government has every legal right to clear encroachments from forest lands. But the issue lies in how it's being done. Evictions must follow due process, people should be given prior notice, and alternative arrangements must be made for their rehabilitation.”

“What we see today is the opposite. The government is conducting sudden eviction drives without any warning, uprooting communities that have lived on these lands for generations. Where were the forest officials when these settlements first began? What action was taken against those who facilitated these occupations back then?” he questioned.

He alleged that the government has been conducting eviction drives without any prior intimation, leading to chaos and trauma among settled communities. Questioning the legality of the state’s use of force, Borthakur said no court had authorised firing on civilians to execute evictions.

“Let’s be clear - no court has authorised the use of brute force or firing on civilians during evictions. There are legal, humane ways to remove encroachments. The government must act like a guardian, a father figure to its citizens. Instead, it has abdicated its responsibility, leading to tragic and violent outcomes like this,” he said.

He further alleged that the eviction in Dhubri was being used as a smokescreen to divert public attention from politically sensitive evictions happening in tribal areas. “This isn’t just about clearing land, it’s political. The eviction in Dhubri is being used to distract the public from the far more controversial evictions being carried out in indigenous areas like Barduar and Karbi Anglong. It’s a diversion tactic, plain and simple,” he added.

On the other hand, Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan also lashed out at the Assam government and said, “The Assam Nagarik Samaj strongly condemns the ongoing eviction drives in the state. Ever since the BJP government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma assumed power, there has been a deliberate, systematic effort to hand over land across Assam to outside corporate interests.”

Bhuyan alleged that these evictions were not administrative actions but a part of a deeper political and economic agenda.

“This is not mere administration; it is part of a larger conspiracy. As citizens, we may not have weapons, but we do have our voice and our right to protest. It’s our duty to spread awareness and resist this injustice,” he said.
He condemned what he called the “inhumane” displacement of indigenous communities under the pretense of removing illegal immigrants.

We categorically oppose the Chief Minister’s inhumane evictions, carried out under the false pretext of targeting so-called Bangladeshis. This is nothing but pre-election posturing meant to mislead the people while displacing indigenous communities from their own land.”

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