The eviction drive at the Lutumari Forest Reserve in Nagaon district entered its second day on Sunday, as officials continued clearing a large stretch of forest land that had been occupied for several years. The operation, which began on Saturday morning, covers nearly 5,962 bighas of land under the Kampur Revenue Circle. Authorities say that around 1,700 families had set up villages inside the forest area, building both temporary and permanent houses over time.
The district administration said that notices were issued months earlier, asking residents to leave within a specific deadline. According to officials, many families left the area before the eviction began, while others requested some extra time. The administration agreed, and a one-month extension was given. By the time the drive started, more than 1,100 families had packed their belongings and moved out.
On the first day of the operation, several houses, small schools, Anganwadi centres and even a primary health centre were dismantled. Officials reported that in total, 2,070 kuccha houses and 192 pucca structures had come up inside the forest land. On the second day, bulldozers were again brought in to clear the remaining houses. In one area, a mosque was demolished, and some residents were seen offering prayers for the last time in front of the debris. 
The eviction process is taking place at Bedetipar, Sankhula, Jurirpar and Kendapara villages—localities that fall within the Greater Lutumari Forest Reserve. District Commissioner Debashish Sarma said nearly 70 per cent of the people had left on their own after repeated appeals. More than 5,000 police personnel have been deployed, with four temporary camps set up to avoid any disturbance. Around 50 excavators have also been engaged to speed up the work.
Some families said they had been living in the area for several decades and claimed they did not know it was forest land. Many of them belong to Bengali-speaking Muslim communities who said their earlier homes in riverine “char” areas were washed away by the Brahmaputra. Several people broke down as their houses were removed, saying they had no place to go.
Officials added that the eviction is being carried out following a Gauhati High Court directive issued on August 18, 2025. A few individuals were also arrested during the operation for allegedly collecting money from people by offering fake legal papers promising protection from eviction.
