Guwahati: Assam authorities started a massive eviction drive today at the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nagaon district. Police and security forces moved in to clear hundreds of bighas of land currently covered in jute crops. The state claims these fields are illegal encroachments on protected forest ground.
The atmosphere is volatile. Residents claim a man was assaulted by forest staff while he was out grazing cattle this morning. This report remains unverified as the Forest Department has stayed silent on the matter. Locals also allege that some officials took money to look the other way while farmers worked the land for years.
Journalists are being blocked from the site. The administration is restricting media access while the operation continues. One resident stated, "Some forest officials had previously allowed cultivation on the government land in exchange for money." Police remain stationed at multiple points to prevent further chaos as the clearing work drags on.
Comments