A major eviction operation began on July 3 at the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Nagaon district, where the district administration launched action to remove alleged encroachments covering hundreds of bighas of cultivated land within the protected forest area.
According to local sources, the drive is primarily focused on clearing large stretches of jute cultivation that authorities claim have been carried out on land falling inside the wildlife sanctuary.
The operation has been accompanied by tension after local residents alleged that a man who had gone to graze cattle in the area during the morning was assaulted by forest personnel. The allegation has not been independently verified, and the Forest Department has not issued any immediate response.
Residents also alleged that certain forest officials had previously permitted cultivation on government land in return for money and claimed that farming activities continued without restriction until the eviction exercise commenced. These allegations remain unsubstantiated, and no official statement has been issued by the authorities regarding the claims.
Meanwhile, media personnel were reportedly prevented from entering the eviction site, with the administration restricting journalists’ access to the area while the operation is in progress.
A strong security deployment has been made across the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, with police and other security personnel stationed at various points to maintain law and order during the eviction drive.
Further details are awaited as the operation continues.
