Guwahati, Jan 10: As a part of Assam government’s ongoing drive to clear forest land in the state, the Lakhimpur district administration initiated an eviction drive to clear around 450 hectares of forest land in the district on Tuesday morning.
According to sources, the drive was conducted across encroached areas in Adhasona and Mohaghuli villages in the district.
According to authorities, of the total 2560.25 hectares of Pabho reserved forest, only 29 hectares are free from encroachment.
As it is, about 700 families had allegedly encroached on land under the reserve forest in Lakhimpur district over the past several years.
“Around 60 excavators and tractors were used for the eviction drive. Moreover, to prevent any untoward incident during the eviction process, around 600 security personnel were deployed at the eviction site,” Lakhimpur additional superintendent of police Runa Neog informed.
Sources said that the illegal settlers include people from different parts of Assam, as well as those displaced by floods and erosion.
Notably, the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government, after assuming power in May 2021, had embarked on an intensive drive to clear government/forest land illegally occupied by encroachers.
It may be mentioned that in 2021, the Darrang district administration cleared 8000 bighas of land under Sipajhar revenue circle, illegally occupied by encroachers.