The Assam Forest Department has issued fresh eviction notices to 59 families residing at No. 2 Negheribil area in Golaghat district’s Merapani, stepping up its action against alleged illegal encroachments.
This drive comes days after the Supreme Court of India granted permission to the state government to conduct eviction drives in reserved forest areas.
As per reports, the notices were served to 59 families on February 21 in the presence of security personnel, including the CRPF and local police. The families were directed to vacate the land within seven days.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Forest Department, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and district police authorities.
Also Read: Assam CM lays foundation stone for museum in Guwahati to house ‘Vrindavani Vastra’
The department had earlier issued eviction notices to 205 families in 2 No. Negheribil on August 8, 2025. Subsequently, 59 families from Negheribil and 11 families from Uriamghat approached the Gauhati High Court seeking a stay on the eviction.
The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which on February 10 ruled in favour of the Forest Department, removing the legal impediment that had stalled the eviction process.
Officials stated that some residents refused to receive or formally acknowledge the fresh eviction notices. In those instances, authorities pasted copies of the notices on their houses in accordance with procedural requirements.
This action comes in the wake of previous eviction operations carried out at Uriamghat in Sarupathar and at No. 2 Negheribil in Merapani, which the department said were aimed at clearing alleged encroachments from notified forest land.
