A significant eviction drive is taking place in the Sontipur area of Assam under tight security on Saturday.
New Delhi: A significant eviction drive is taking place in the Sontipur area of Assam under tight security on Saturday. The goal of the drive is to clear 330 acres of land in the Chitalmari neighbourhood of Barchalla, which is located on the Brahmaputra river’s northern bank. A vast number of workers, heavy deployment of equipment, and 50 excavators are used for the project.
The police claim that the process has been smooth and peaceful. Prior to the eviction drive, all the illegal inhabitants had already left the area with their goods, while the government had issued the eviction notice.
“The eviction drive has so far been without incidents. There hasn’t been any disruption to law and order. ” The officer, who was in charge of the exercise, was informed.
The drive got underway around 5 am, most people having already vacated their residences. The built-up structures were being demolished with the help of excavators and other heavy machinery, officials added.
It is estimated that about 1,200 security personnel, including Assam Police and paramilitary forces, have been deployed on the spot to maintain peace during the demonstration drive; they are equipped with anti-riot gear.
As per government records, around 299 families were residing in these areas, but more than 90% of them had vacated after getting the notice about eight months ago.
However, several residents claim that the government hasn’t provided proper rehabilitation arrangements for them
“We have been living here for decades. We have no jobs and live off the fields here. “We don’t know where we will go,” a woman said.