Chief Minister inspects encroached areas in Uriamghat

Guwahati, July 25 : Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Uriamghat in Golaghat district today to inspect areas that have been encroached upon and for which the State Government has already issued eviction notices. Addressing the press, Dr. Sarma stated that thousands of bighas of land in the area had been unlawfully occupied. He observed that certain families had encroached upon as much as 300 to 400 bighas, using the land for various economic activities.

Emphasising that the government could not remain indifferent to such developments, he affirmed that appropriate action would follow, urging the public to cooperate with the measures the State Government intends to implement. He informed that nearly 70% of the encroachers had already vacated the land voluntarily. He added that those who had settled on the land came from various districts in Assam – such as Cachar, Sribhumi, Dhubri, Barpeta, Hojai, Nagaon, and Morigaon – as well as from other states including West Bengal and Bihar. He further mentioned that their exact places of origin would be confirmed upon the collection of names and addresses, which would subsequently be shared with the relevant district authorities for verification and necessary follow-up.

The Chief Minister stated that eviction notices had also been issued in the Negheribil area of Golaghat district and expressed hope that encroachers there would vacate the land in due course. He noted reports indicating that Uriamghat had emerged as a centre for criminal activity owing to these encroachments. He expressed confidence that peace could be restored to the area with public cooperation once the land is vacated. He stated that the government, through the Forest Department and the local administration, intends to facilitate economic opportunities for local youth by harnessing available resources such as stone, sand, and valuable forest produce. He noted that measures would be taken to protect the reclaimed land and that the Forest Department could initiate reforestation and related activities.

He affirmed that efforts would be directed towards ensuring local residents benefit from these interventions. He also disclosed that two individuals suspected of being key figures behind the encroachments have already been arrested. Furthermore, he stated that the government maintains a comprehensive list of encroached areas across the state that are to be addressed.

Dr Sarma remarked that, in recent days, residents from various parts of Assam had reached out via social media to urge action against encroachments in their respective areas. He appealed to citizens and organisations to promptly inform the administration of any instances of encroachment, stressing that while the government would deal with existing cases, public vigilance is essential to prevent new ones. He reiterated that all unauthorized occupation of VGR (Village Grazing Reserve), PGR (Professional Grazing Reserve), Satras, Naamghars, forest land, and other public areas would be cleared in a phased manner. Upon completion of the Uriamghat eviction drive, he noted, the total area of land cleared of encroachments across the state would exceed 1.5 lakh bighas.

He also acknowledged the cooperation extended by the Government of Nagaland in this initiative. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma was accompanied during his visit by local MLA Biswajit Phukan, Special Chief  Secretary (Forests) M. K. Yadav, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh, District Commissioner Pulak Mahanta, and other administrative officials.