Gauhati High Court Orders Eviction of Illegal Nagaon Forest Settlers

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court just slammed the door on illegal settlers. Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury tossed out a string of appeals challenging eviction orders in Assam’s Nagaon district. The ruling confirms that long-term occupation does not grant legal rights to land inside the Barapani, Lutumari, and Kaki Reserve Forests.

Settlers argued they lived there for generations. They claimed the government backed their original presence. Their lawyer, senior advocate A.R. Bhuyan, pushed for a balance between local communities and environmental goals. The court did not buy it. It ruled that historical presence or access to basic utilities does not create a title to forest land.

Additional Advocate General P.N. Goswami hammered the state’s position. He told the court that the land is protected forest territory and the settlers never held any legal claim. The bench agreed entirely. The judges stated: "long-term occupation or personal hardship cannot establish a legal claim over reserved forest land."

The court did leave a sliver of hope for some. While the eviction stands, the state can still offer aid to eligible families under current rehabilitation policies. Because of the heavy monsoon rains, the judges granted the residents 45 days to pack up and leave. The clock is ticking.