The Assam government has announced plans to evict 205 families from Negheribil in Merapani, located within the Doyang Reserved Forest in Golaghat district, to reclaim approximately 300 bighas of encroached forest land. The eviction process is set to begin on August 8, 2025. Following the announcement by Special Chief Secretary M.K. Yadav on August 2, an atmosphere of panic has engulfed the area, with around 80% of the village’s residents fleeing their homes. Many have been forced to sell their household belongings at throwaway prices.
Local village leaders have appealed for a peaceful eviction process, stating, “We do not want any violence or conflict. Many families have already relocated with their belongings.” Approximately 40 families have approached the Gauhati High Court, seeking an extension of the eviction deadline, and have been granted temporary relief until August 7. However, the district administration has clarified that the eviction process will proceed as planned for the remaining families.
Golaghat District Commissioner Pulak Mahanta assured that the eviction will be conducted by legal guidelines, with adequate security arrangements in place to ensure a peaceful process. Senior Superintendent of Police Rajen Singh revealed that before the operation, arms, ammunition, and prohibited items were seized, and several suspicious individuals were arrested, underscoring the necessity of the eviction drive.
Meanwhile, the first phase of a larger eviction operation in the Rengma Reserved Forest concluded successfully on August 2. Conducted in areas such as Bidyapur, Pithaghat, Sonaribil, Doyalpur, Dolonipathar, Kherbari, Anandapur, and Madhupur, the five-day drive reclaimed approximately 8,900 bighas of forest land and demolished over 4,000 illegal structures without facing any resistance. In a separate operation in South Nambor’s Rajapukhuri and Gelazan areas, 390 houses were razed, rendering over a hundred people, including members of the Naga community, homeless.
The eviction drives have sparked mixed reactions. While some acknowledge the importance of forest conservation, others have criticized the lack of rehabilitation measures for displaced families. The administration has promised to explore solutions through discussions with locals. The reclaimed forest land will be brought under afforestation and habitat restoration programs, with strict legal action promised against future encroachments under the Forest Conservation Act.
