GUWAHATI: The Assam government removed 736 houses in the Lumding Reserve Forest in Hojai District of Assam after an eviction drive against illegal encroachers was conducted on November 8. This was informed by the State Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma in a tweet on Friday, November 12.
"Glad to share that in furtherance to orders of the Guwahati High Court, 736 houses have been removed from 1410 ha forest land in Lumding Reserve Forest in 5 days. I appreciate people giving heed to the request of the administration and vacating the land voluntarily," Assam CM tweeted.
The Government along with the Forest Department and Hojai District Administration had started the eviction drive of illegal encroachers in the Lumding Reserve Forest in a phased manner with the first phase being on November 8 and 9. The total clearance area covered was 1410 hectares of forest land. G Plus had been in touch with senior police officials from Hojai district who stated that everything was under control during the eviction.
Elephants, excavators, and tractors had been deployed to break the establishments including huts, betel nut, and fruit trees that were planted by the illegal encroachers.
An Assam police official shared a picture of an elephant on Twitter stating, "The 5 -day long eviction drive at Lumding Reserve Forest ended today peacefully and without any incident. A blessing from whom the place belongs."