Dhubri (Assam): An eviction drive in Assam’s Dhubri district turned tense on Tuesday after alleged encroachers damaged government machinery and attempted to attack security personnel, prompting police to resort to a baton charge to disperse the crowd.
No injuries were reported among law enforcement officials.
The operation, aimed at clearing encroachments from three revenue villages—Charuwa Bakra, Chirakuta, and Santoshpur—is part of a larger government initiative to reclaim around 3,000 bighas of land for a proposed thermal power plant by the Adani Group under the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).
District authorities said that out of the estimated 1,200 to 1,400 families occupying the land, about 95% had vacated voluntarily following a recent visit by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Affected families have been offered compensation of Rs. 50,000 each, and many have already received the amount.
Temporary rehabilitation space spanning 300 bighas has also been allotted in Baizar Alga under Athani circle.
Despite prior notices, a section of residents allegedly resisted the eviction, attacking two excavators with sticks and bricks, resulting in damage to the vehicles.
Officials described this group as miscreants bent on disrupting a peaceful process. The situation, however, was brought under control swiftly, they added.
The drive has predominantly impacted Bengali-speaking Muslim families, officials said.
Meanwhile, Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, who attempted to visit the eviction sites, was stopped by the police and escorted away from the area.
According to the Dhubri administration, the total land allocated to APDCL for the power project stands at 3,500 bighas, of which about 3,000 bighas are under encroachment.
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A formal land acquisition and compensation process is also underway for families holding valid land rights.
Last month, the chief minister announced plans for a 3,400 MW thermal power plant on the proposed site, with tenders expected to be floated soon.
Overall, the Assam government has outlined plans to reclaim over 4,000 bighas across Dhubri and Goalpara districts, potentially affecting around 2,500 families.
