July 16, 2025
GUWAHATI – The Assam government has freed more than 12,000 hectares of land from illegal encroachment over the past four years.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the effort as a significant milestone in safeguarding the state’s land, identity, and cultural fabric from what he termed as “existential threats” posed by infiltration and planned demographic changes.
Taking to social media, Sarma underscored the scale of the drive, stating that over 160 square kilometers—nearly 75 percent of Guwahati’s total area—have been reclaimed.
“We are committed to freeing every inch of land from encroachers,” he said.
According to data released by the state government, a cumulative 12,003.515 hectares of land have been cleared since the 2021–22 financial year.
The most extensive evictions took place in 2022–23, followed by significant operations in the subsequent years. As of July 12 this year, over 638 hectares have already been reclaimed.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the campaign is not just about land, but about confronting systemic attempts to alter Assam’s demography.
He warned of a “grave challenge” facing the state, what he described as a deliberate and organized encroachment aimed at changing the population balance in several districts.
Sarma, who has consistently linked land encroachment with illegal immigration from Bangladesh, reiterated that the eviction drives are legally mandated and essential for protecting government land, forest reserves, and public property.
“We are No. 1 in the state as a result of standing firm to protect the interest of Assam,” he said.
While the government has hailed the evictions as a necessary corrective measure, the campaign has also triggered concern among civil society groups and opposition leaders.
Critics argue that the operations often lack transparency, fair notification, and rehabilitation for those displaced, many of whom belong to marginalized communities. Human rights activists have called for a more humane approach, warning of the social costs of mass displacement.
The Chief Minister’s statement comes amid heightened political discourse around identity, citizenship, and land rights in Assam, with the state government positioning itself as a defender of Assamese culture against what it sees as demographic threats.