132 Homes Demolished in Assam's Lakhimpur Eviction Drive
Authorities in Lakhimpur, Assam, demolished 132 homes and a mosque to clear grazing land, leaving families homeless amid allegations of selective targeting.
A massive eviction operation in Assam's Lakhimpur district has left 132 families homeless after authorities demolished their homes and a local mosque on Friday. The drive, conducted in the Boginadi area of the Kadam revenue circle, was aimed at clearing land designated as a Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR).
The district administration and revenue department, supported by security personnel, executed the demolition to remove what they described as illegal encroachment on protected grazing land. However, the operation has sparked significant tension and outcry from the local community.
Many of the affected residents claim they have lived in the area for decades, having settled there following their displacement during the 1983 riots. They pointed out that the settlement, which they have historically referred to as a "Refugee Camp," was not merely a collection of huts but a developed community. The area featured essential infrastructure, including a primary school established in 2008, an Anganwadi centre, electricity, and piped water provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Claims of Selective Targeting and Displacement
The demolition has faced heavy criticism from local leaders and social activists. Community members have alleged that the drive was selectively targeted at Muslim households, noting that neighboring Hindu families situated on the same reserve land were not affected by the bulldozers. Raijor Dal leader Azizur Rahman has condemned the action, stating that it violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
This incident is part of a broader, state-wide campaign led by the Assam government to reclaim government and reserved lands. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently defended these operations as a necessary measure to protect state property and forests. However, the scale of the displacement is growing; reports suggest that over 1,900 families have been evicted across districts like Dhubri, Nagaon, Hojai, and Golaghat in the past month alone. As of November 15, 2026, the 132 families in Lakhimpur remain without shelter, and the government has yet to announce any plans for their rehabilitation or relocation.