Assam CM: 10 Arrested in Violent Forest Clash

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the arrest of 10 individuals following a violent clash in Paikan Reserve Forest, Goalpara district, where alleged encroachers attacked security forces, resulting in one death and over 20 injuries. The incident followed an eviction drive on July 12, which cleared approximately 135 hectares of encroached land, displacing 1,080 families, predominantly Bengali-speaking Muslims.

Speaking at a press conference, Sarma declared the area now free of encroachers, stating, "Paikan is empty now. They won’t return." He noted that 40-50 families had lingered in temporary shelters post-eviction, promising to vacate soon, but tensions escalated, leading to Thursday’s violence.

Sarma pointed fingers at Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging their speeches during a recent Assam visit incited the evicted group. "People from Goalpara attended Gandhi’s meeting, then went to Paikan at night and provoked the attack on forest guards and police," he claimed. The police are investigating any links between the leaders’ remarks and the clash.

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The eviction drive, conducted under Krishnai Range, aimed to reclaim the reserve forest from illegal settlements. Sarma emphasized that swift action was taken, with arrests made hours after the incident. "Our action is complete," he asserted, drawing from past experiences to predict no further returns by encroachers.

The investigation continues as authorities probe the role of external influences in the violence that left one dead and several injured, including police personnel.

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