Guwahati: A routine eviction drive in Assam’s Paikan Reserve Forest escalated into a violent confrontation on Thursday morning, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured. The operation, a joint effort by the Assam Police and Forest Department in the Goalpara district, took a tragic turn when police reportedly opened fire on residents resisting the clearing of encroached land.
The incident unfolded under the Krishnai Range as authorities moved to reclaim over 140 hectares of forest land allegedly occupied illegally. Officials stated that a large group of settlers attempted to obstruct the eviction team. Eyewitness accounts and video footage from the scene show residents pelting stones at the eviction squad and attacking an excavator being used in the operation, leading to a volatile situation.
In response to the aggressive resistance, police reportedly resorted to firing, claiming it was an act of self-defence. The deceased has been identified as Shakuar Hussain, while Kutubuddin Sheikh sustained injuries during the clash. There are also unverified reports of injuries among police personnel. The encroached areas, including Bidyapara and Betbari, have reportedly been home to families for years without valid land documents, making the operation particularly contentious.
Authorities had made comprehensive preparations for the drive, including multiple rounds of patrolling and public announcements urging illegal settlers to vacate voluntarily. However, the final push met with intense resistance, highlighting the deep-rooted challenges in addressing encroachment issues in the region. Dramatic videos circulated by local media show chaotic scenes of agitated groups, armed with sticks and stones, advancing towards the authorities, damaging the excavator, and chasing the eviction team, with police seen retreating amidst continuous stone-pelting.
Forest officials defended the action, emphasizing that unchecked encroachments severely threaten the area’s biodiversity and ecological balance. They highlighted the critical role of the Paikan Reserve Forest, a protected zone spanning 711 hectares, in maintaining the region’s vital forest cover. This tragic incident underscores the complexities and human cost often associated with land reclamation efforts in ecologically sensitive areas.
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