Tensions Rise During Assam's Dhubri Eviction Drive As Authorities Clear Over 3,500 Government Land

A massive eviction drive was carried out in Assam’s Dhubri district on Tuesday (8 July) as part of the state’s plan to establish a 3,200 MW thermal power plant, Indian Express reported.

The drive was conducted across the revenue villages of Charuabakhra, Santoshpur, and Chirakuta Pt. 1.

Tensions escalated around midday when some residents pelted stones and bricks at bulldozers, prompting police to use a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

Officials said two machines were damaged during the confrontation.

The land in question, home to about 1,700 structures, is primarily occupied by Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The eviction drive was carried out in three Muslim villages -- Charuwa Bakra, Chirakuta and Santoshpur -- falling under the Chapar revenue circle, The New Indian Express reported.

Authorities reportedly cleared about 3,500 bighas of government land where 1,069 families were settled.

“This is government khas land which has been allotted to the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Limited) for a thermal power plant, and they will do the tendering for the project,” Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.

The administration has identified 197 pattadars who are eligible for compensation or alternative land.

“The rest are encroachers; they have been given Rs 50,000 ex gratia per family... We have allocated 300 bighas in Baizar Alga village for resettlement,” Nath added.

The cleared land is part of a broader 3,500 bigha tract designated for future industrial use.

Defending the eviction, Law and Justice Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass stated, as quoted by the Assam Tribune, “The law has taken its course. After Advantage Assam 2.0, we need land to push forward industrialisation.”

A day earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Congress of politicising the issue and shielding what he termed as “Bangladesh nationals.”

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