From Lower To Upper Assam: Sarma Says ‘Demographic Invasion’ Spreading, Evictions Meant To ‘Protect Assamese Constituencies’

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (15 July) defended the state’s ongoing eviction drives, citing concerns over a “demographic invasion” by “people of one religion,” Indian Express reported.

His remarks come as the government continues its campaign to reclaim encroached forest, grazing, and revenue land.

Over the past month, five major eviction drives carried out in four districts have led to the displacement of at least 3,300 families.

Sarma said that, since 2021, the state has cleared encroachments across 160 sq km, impacting approximately 50,000 people.

According to him, more than 1.19 lakh bighas of land have been reclaimed during this period. This includes 84,743 bighas of forest land, over 36,000 bighas of grazing land (VGR/PGR), 26,713 bighas of general government land, and 4,449 bighas belonging to religious institutions.

Citing a recent eviction in Lakhimpur district earlier this month, Sarma stated that 220 families were removed, many of whom had migrated from districts like Barpeta, Nagaon, Goalpara, Cachar, and South Salmara.

Sarma alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to alter the demographic composition of Lakhimpur district.

He claimed that this "conspiracy" to change the jonogathoni (demography) had begun, but asserted that the government was able to halt it through timely intervention.

He warned of a growing demographic shift in Upper Assam, likening it to what he described as irreversible changes in Lower and Middle Assam.

"After demographic invasion in Lower Assam and Middle Assam, today we are seeing the beginning of demographic invasion in Upper Assam. If we could have seen the demographic invasion of Lower Assam and Middle Assam in the beginning, we probably could have stopped it. But it has become irreversible," Sarma said.

“Today, a new move has started with Upper Assam… Once they become a political force, the local leadership does not allow any eviction. And consequently, Assamese people lose their identity,” He added.

He also directed district administrations to remove evicted individuals’ names from local voter rolls, saying, “Our job is to protect the Assamese constituency or the local indigenous constituency.”

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