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Golaghat: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited Uriamghat in Golaghat district to inspect areas affected by large-scale land encroachments, where the State Government has already issued eviction notices.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Sarma said that thousands of bighas of land had been unlawfully occupied, with some families encroaching as much as 300–400 bighas for economic activities. He stressed that the government would not stay silent and assured strong action, urging public cooperation. He revealed that nearly 70% of the encroachers had already vacated the land voluntarily.
The Chief Minister informed that the encroachers had migrated from several districts within Assam—like Cachar, Sribhumi, Dhubri, Barpeta, Hojai, Nagaon, and Morigaon—as well as from states such as West Bengal and Bihar. Their names and addresses will be verified by respective district authorities.
He also highlighted that similar eviction notices had been issued in Negheribil and that Uriamghat had become a hub for criminal activities due to unchecked encroachments. Dr. Sarma expressed optimism that peace would return to the region with proper action and local support.
The Chief Minister announced that the Forest Department and district administration will initiate reforestation and explore resource-based economic opportunities—like stone, sand, and forest produce—for local youth. Two key individuals suspected to be behind the illegal occupation have been arrested.
Dr. Sarma added that the government has identified several other encroached zones across Assam and will clear them in phases. With Uriamghat, the total land reclaimed from encroachments will exceed 1.5 lakh bighas. He thanked the Government of Nagaland for their support in the process.
He concluded by calling on citizens and organisations to remain alert and report new encroachments, ensuring protection of VGR, PGR, Satras, Naamghars, forest land, and other public assets.
Dr. Sarma was accompanied by local MLA Biswajit Phukan, Special Chief Secretary (Forests) M.K. Yadav, IGP (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Golaghat DC Pulak Mahanta, and other senior officials.
