"Eviction in Paikan Postponed for Jumma, Will Begin on July 12": Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the eviction drive in the Paikan Reserve Forest area of Goalpara district will begin from July 12. The decision to delay the operation by a day was taken in view of Friday congregational prayers. 

“Evictions in the Paikan Reserve Forest of Goalpara will definitely take place. However, due to Friday prayers (Jumma), the operation will not begin tomorrow. We have scheduled it to commence from July 12. We do respect the religious sentiments of people,” the Chief Minister said while addressing media persons following the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

CM Sarma further justified the move, linking it to what he described as an ongoing effort by his government to restore the demographic balance in certain areas of Assam. “Had the BJP not come to power in Assam, the demographic balance would never have been restored,” he said.

He claimed that the state government has taken “concrete steps to correct the demographic situation” in areas such as Lumding, Borsola, and Goalpara, which have witnessed unauthorized settlements over the years.

“People cannot simply claim to be landless and illegally occupy an entire town or constituency. Those who are genuinely landless have the option to apply for land rights through government schemes like Basundhara. But illegal occupation with the intent to alter demographic patterns is unacceptable,” Sarma said.

Highlighting the situation in Goalpara, the Chief Minister alleged that over 10,000 families from Baghbor had settled there illegally. “In Goalpara alone, over 10,000 families migrated from Baghbor and settled there with the help of a former forest minister and a divisional forest officer (DFO). This was done in clear violation of the law,” he said.

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