The Hailakandi district administration has launched a large-scale eviction drive on encroached reserved forest land along the Assam–Mizoram border, raising issues of forest protection, legality of land occupation and humanitarian concerns.

What is the eviction drive about?

• The eviction is being carried out on 2,800 bighas of reserved forest land in the Damcherra forest area under Gharmurra range.
  
• The area falls under the Inner Line Reserve Forest, one of the two reserve forests in Hailakandi district.
  

Key facts from the operation

• Families affected:
  
  • Initially 522 families were identified.
    
  • After voluntary evacuation, the number was reduced to 516 families.
    
• Nature of encroachment:
  
  • First phase focused on clearing betel nut plantations.
    
  • Encroachments were spread across six forest villages.
    
• Legal process followed:
  
  • Eviction notices were issued one month in advance.
    
  • The Gauhati High Court gave encroachers time to present documents.
    
  • None could prove legal ownership of reserved forest land.
    

Administrative and security measures

• Deployment of:
  
  • Over 1,500 police and paramilitary personnel.
    
  • Around 150 bulldozers.
    
• Medical teams and ambulances kept on standby.
  
• Road barricading done to prevent law and order issues.
  
• Restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, equivalent to the earlier Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
  
• Educational institutions in affected areas closed temporarily.
  

Concerns and responses

• Some local social groups claim families have lived there since 1965, highlighting the rehabilitation and humanitarian angle.
  
• Local representatives have appealed for support to displaced families.
  
• The administration maintains the drive is lawful, peaceful and necessary to protect reserved forests.
  

Exam Hook – 

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Reserved forest land can be legally occupied if families prove long-term residence alone.
   
2. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaces the earlier Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
   
3. Eviction from reserved forests requires prior notice and due legal process.
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (a)

Source