Guwahati, 22nd September: Gauhati High Court has issued an order directing families residing in the Darranga Reserve Forest, Baksa district of Assam, to vacate the land within three months. The court’s decision was based on the argument that these families had been occupying the land illegally for an extended period.
Failure to comply with this order within the stipulated time frame will empower the respondent authorities to proceed with eviction without further notice.
The court’s ruling followed a writ petition by 88 petitioners who alleged illegal and arbitrary actions by the state government regarding their eviction. The Assam government has been instructed to provide necessary assistance, including food, water, shelter, and rehabilitation arrangements for the affected families within 30 days.
This decision highlights the ongoing issues surrounding land ownership and encroachments in forest reserves and the need for a balanced approach to address these complex challenges.