Karbi Anglong : After a long period of anticipation and administrative planning, an eviction drive has officially commenced in Karbi Anglong. On Tuesday morning, the administration began operations in Bakaliaghat with the objective of clearing approximately 350 bighas of encroached land (Karbi Anglong Eviction Drive).
Background and Demands
The move follows persistent demands from local organizations alleging that large tracts of land under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) had been encroached upon by non-Karbi settlers. The decision to deploy bulldozers was finalized after a series of protests and a tripartite meeting involving the government and the Autonomous Council.
Authorities had previously issued notices to the settlers, instructing them to vacate the land following the Bhogali Bihu festival. With the deadline passed, the administration moved forward with the drive on Tuesday.
On the Ground
The operation is focused on the embankment areas belonging to the Irrigation Department in Bakaliaghat and is scheduled to continue through Wednesday.
Prior to the drive, the administration made repeated announcements via loudspeakers, urging residents to vacate the area to avoid forced removal. Heeding these warnings, many families were seen dismantling their homes and moving their belongings to relatives’ houses before the authorities arrived.
Impact and Scale
The area has been a settlement for a significant number of people for many years. According to reports, 2,159 families from various communities had been residing on this government land. The encroached area also contains several religious structures, including temples and mosques.
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