Evictions or Elections? Assam Govt Criticized for Targeting Minorities

A series of eviction drives carried out by the Assam government across several districts has sparked sharp criticism from political analysts, social experts, and civil society, who allege the operations are politically motivated and aimed at shaping a communal narrative ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections.

According to official data, the government has conducted at least nine major eviction drives since June 2025, displacing thousands. The most recent operations cleared over 10,500 bighas (1,400+ hectares) of land in the Rengma, Nambor South, and Doyang Reserve Forests in Golaghat district, as well as Village Grazing Reserves in Lakhimpur — evicting nearly 2,200 families, the majority of whom belong to the Bengali-speaking Muslim community.

Critics claim the moves are not just about reclaiming forest land but are part of a larger effort to polarise voters on communal lines.“The agenda is to create a Hindu-Muslim narrative, especially in Upper Assam, to counter the growing support for the opposition, particularly after Gaurav Gogoi’s recent political rise,” said noted neurosurgeon and political commentator Navanil Barua.

Also Read: Assam Intensifies Border Crackdown: 10 Bangladeshi Infiltrators Repelled

Barua alleged that such targeted eviction drives and parallel ‘anti-Miya’ protests by local groups are designed to influence voter sentiment, adding, “Post-March 2026, these evictions will stop. It’s clearly pre-poll posturing.”

The term ‘Miya’, though widely used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims, is often considered derogatory and is commonly associated with accusations of illegal migration.

Pallavi Deka, Assistant Professor at Handique Girls' College, echoed these concerns. Referring to the Rengma Reserve Forest evictions, she said, “Displacing people without proper rehabilitation under the guise of saving forests reflects deeper communal polarisation and political calculations.”

Eminent advocate Santanu Borthakur also raised constitutional concerns. “Even if the land belongs to forests, selectively targeting one community is discriminatory. The chief minister’s statement that evictions won’t affect other communities is unconstitutional,” he said.

He further highlighted that many of the evicted families have historical claims. “These settlements were encouraged by past governments, including the Golap Borbora and AGP governments. Erasing that context makes these evictions arbitrary and inhumane.”

The issue also risks aggravating Assam’s fragile border relations. Many of the evicted regions, like Rengma Reserve Forest, lie along the Assam-Nagaland border — areas often marked by inter-state tension.

Dr. Kaustubh Deka, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Dibrugarh University, warned of the long-term fallout. “This is a sensitive moment. The government must strike a balance between enforcing land rights and protecting constitutional and human rights. There must be caution to avoid escalating border disputes with neighbouring states.”

Advocate Borthakur also pointed out that buffer zones in border areas are often populated with diverse communities — including minorities and Gorkhas — as a deterrent against cross-border encroachment. “Such populations are part of strategic border management. Evicting them weakens that defence,” he noted.

The evicted families claim they have been living in the forested areas for decades. According to them, earlier governments had encouraged their settlement as part of land reform and border security policies.

“The government does have legal powers, but the way they are exercising it now — without rehabilitation or a historical review — is unjust,” Borthakur said.

Experts further cite Supreme Court precedents that mandate proper rehabilitation even for pavement dwellers before eviction.

“This is not just a legal issue — it’s about dignity, rights, and the future of thousands of people,” said Pallavi Deka. “What we’re witnessing is not governance, but vote-bank politics at its worst.”

As the 2026 assembly elections near, the controversy around the eviction drives is likely to intensify, with growing concerns over their legality, humanitarian impact, and political intent.

Also Read: Himanta: No Shelter for Evicted Encroachers!