Dhubri, November 1: The Dhubri administration began a major eviction drive in Alomganj’s Ninth Block on Sunday morning. More than 50 bulldozers were deployed to clear alleged encroachments on government land.
Emotional scenes were reported during the operation. Some residents offered prayers at a mosque, while several people were seen crying near a mazar. Residents broke down as their homes were demolished. A woman reportedly fainted after seeing her house being pulled down.
Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath said the administration aims to clear around 650 bighas of government land out of a total 800 bighas in the area. According to him, around 550 families, with an estimated population of 4,000, had been living there.
The administration said residents were given a chance to present their views and one month to vacate the land before the operation. The Deputy Commissioner said nearly 80 per cent of the residents had left the area with their belongings before the eviction drive began.
Some families, however, stayed back after approaching the court against the eviction. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 13.
Some residents claimed they had bought the land from private individuals and did not know it belonged to the government. They also sought alternative accommodation and rehabilitation.
The administration maintained that the land belonged to the government and that the eviction was being carried out in accordance with the law.
