Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the Supreme Court, through its judgment delivered on February 10, has streamlined the process relating to eviction drives in forest areas (Forest Eviction Process Assam).
It was stated that the apex court, in its February 10 judgment, modified the earlier order of the Gauhati High Court in terms of the latest affidavit filed by the Government of Assam. The affidavit outlined the mechanism adopted for conducting large-scale eviction drives in the Doyang, South Nambar, Jamuna Madunga, Barpani, Lutumai and Golaghat reserved forests.
As per the directions issued on February 10, once eviction notices are served, the matter is required to be placed before a Joint Committee comprising forest and revenue officials. The committee is authorised to grant a hearing to the occupants so that evidence may be adduced. Removal action is to be initiated only after it is established that encroachment has taken place. A period of 15 days’ notice is to be given through speaking orders to vacate the unauthorised occupation.
The Chief Minister informed that around 1,25,326 bighas of forest land have so far been cleared of illegal encroachment by the government. He further stated that some encroachers had approached the apex court challenging the eviction drives, following which the government had been restrained from carrying out eviction in certain areas.
“However, as some encroachers approached the apex court over the action, the court has restrained the government from carrying out eviction in some areas. However, yesterday’s judgment made it more streamlined,” he said.
He also informed that approximately another 20 lakh bighas of forest land in Assam are currently under illegal encroachment.
The Chief Minister further said that forest rights are to be granted to indigenous communities simultaneously. He expressed that the Supreme Court judgment, along with the move to grant forest rights to indigenous communities, is likely to prevent fresh encroachment of forest lands across the state.
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