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Key Points

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the recovery of 26 hectares in Rengma Reserve Forest during an anti-encroachment drive. The Gauhati High Court has ordered fencing to prevent future encroachments while allowing encroachers 30 days to vacate. Sarma accused the previous Congress government of enabling illegal land grabs between 2006-2014. The state government vows to continue eviction drives with court backing.

Key Points: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Reclaims 26 Hectares in Rengma Forest Drive

  • Assam reclaims 26 hectares in Rengma Reserve Forest
  • Gauhati HC orders fencing to prevent encroachment
  • Sarma blames Congress-era illegal land grabs
  • Court allows 30 days for encroachers to vacate
3 min read

The hot pursuit continues: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announces reclaimation of 26 hectares in Rengma Reserve Forest

Assam CM Himanta Sarma announces 26 hectares reclaimed in Rengma Reserve Forest eviction drive, backed by Gauhati HC order against encroachment.

"The hot pursuit continues! Our bulldozers reached Rengma Reserve Forest yesterday... 26 Hectares of Forest Land reclaimed! – Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, August 19

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's vigorous campaign to reclaim lands from illegal encroachers has resulted in the successful recovery of 26 hectares in the Rengma Reserve Forest.

Sarma announced on X that the ongoing eviction drive in the Rengma Reserve Forest has reclaimed 26 hectares of forest land, equivalent to the size of 65 football fields.

Sarma wrote, "The hot pursuit continues! Our bulldozers reached Rengma Reserve Forest yesterday to pursue Part II of the eviction drive to free forest lands from encroachers. The result? 26 Hectares of Forest Land reclaimed -- enough to house 65 football fields!! The action will continue."

Meanwhile, Sarma on Monday welcomed the Gauhati High Court order directing the state government to fence forest areas to stop encroachment and said the government will carry out more eviction drives in the future.

CM Sarma said the court's decision had also prevented the Congress from announcing the return of land to alleged encroachers.

"The Gauhati High Court has delivered a historic judgement. The Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court said that the government should bring a stern regulation to prevent new encroachment. The government should take action against those government officers under whose watch a large-scale encroachment took place in forest lands," CM Sarma said at a press conference in Guwahati.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ashwini Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhary ordered the state government to fence reserved forest land to prevent future encroachments. The court allowed encroachers 15 days to respond to eviction notices and another 15 days to vacate the land.

The High Court order comes weeks after it directed Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram on July 31 to form a high-level committee to clear forest encroachments along interstate borders.

Sarma alleged that large-scale encroachments happened between 2006 and 2014 during the Congress-led government and called for the punishment of those responsible.

"After this verdict, we have now become more powerful and in the coming days we can carry out more eviction drives. Today's verdict has stopped the announcement of the Congress party that they said they would return the lands after forming the government. This government will not compromise," the Chief Minister added.

"The division bench has given a guideline for future also. After this verdict, we will bring our fight forward to free the forest lands from encroachment. The High Court had already given judgement on VGR/PGR lands and government revenue lands," Sarma said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
While I support forest conservation, I hope the government is providing proper rehabilitation to the displaced families. Many poor people get caught in these situations without alternatives. Balance is needed.
A
Aman W
The High Court's order to fence forest areas is a game-changer! This should have been done years ago. Now we need strict monitoring to prevent new encroachments. #SaveAssamForests
P
Priyanka N
Why is this being politicized? Both Congress and BJP governments have failed to protect forests in the past. Let's focus on solutions rather than blame games. The environment doesn't care about party politics!
V
Varun X
26 hectares is just the beginning! Assam has lost so much forest cover to illegal settlements. Hope this drive continues with the same intensity across all protected areas. Our wildlife needs this habitat.
N
Nisha Z
The 15+15 days notice period is a good move by the court. Gives people time to arrange alternatives. But government should also disclose what rehabilitation plans they have for genuine settlers.
K
Karthik V
Bulldozer politics won't solve the root problem. We need proper land records digitization and satellite monitoring to prevent encroachment in first place. Reactive measures alone won't work long-term.

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