Prof Syeda Sadiya

The Assam government has evicted more than 1,100 Muslim families over two days, predominantly from the Bengali-speaking Muslims, in a demolition drive across the Nagaon, Golagahat, and Hojai districts. The Assam government razed down the homes of as many as 600 Muslim families in Nagon district’s Lutumari Longjap Reserve Forest on Sunday on the second day of the demolition drive. On Saturday, a day before the latest eviction drive, authorities evicted 547 families across three districts under tight security. “These families had obtained a stay order from a court when eviction was carried out in this area last year. After meeting all legal requirements and obtaining clearances, we resumed the eviction drive here today,” the official said. “Several families had already left with their belongings. There has been no untoward incident,” the official added. The officer claimed that no untoward incident was reported during the drive and heavy security was deployed in all the areas where anti-encroachment drives were carried out. The paramilitary personnel assisted the local police and the Forest Department.