Fear and uncertainty have spread across several villages in the Jogighopa area of Assam after the local administration issued eviction notices to hundreds of families living on government land. The notices ask residents to vacate their homes by January 23, failing which eviction action may be carried out.
The notices were issued by the Boitamari Revenue Circle under the Bongaigaon district administration. Officials stated that the move is part of a proposed eviction drive aimed at clearing government land in and around Jogighopa.
According to official records, nearly 879 families are currently living on around 688 bighas of government land in different villages of the area. In Kariya Pahar, about 383 families occupy close to 320 bighas, while 496 families reside on nearly 368 bighas in Bhoralkundi Beel. Similar eviction notices have also been served in Konora Beel and Dalani Beel, indicating that the drive could cover a much larger area, possibly extending to nearly 1,500 bighas. 
Residents say most families have been living in these areas for decades. Many claim they built their homes long ago and have raised children there. With no immediate alternative housing arrangements, the notices have left people worried about where they will go if the eviction takes place as scheduled.
While villagers said they understand the government’s authority to reclaim public land, they have appealed for the eviction to be postponed. Their main concern is the timing. With matriculation and higher secondary examinations approaching and winter conditions continuing, families fear that eviction at this stage will severely affect school-going children.
