The Dhubri eviction drive in Assam triggered emotional scenes on Sunday, November 1, as residents offered prayers at a mosque and broke down while authorities demolished houses in Alomganj’s Ninth Block. The large-scale operation targeted alleged encroachments on government land, leaving hundreds of families facing displacement.
The administration deployed more than 50 excavators and heavy machinery to carry out the demolition. Meanwhile, scenes of residents crying, praying and watching their homes being reduced to rubble highlighted the human impact of the operation.
Dhubri eviction drive begins under heavy security
The eviction operation began around 6 am on Sunday in Alomganj Part-9 under the Gauripur Revenue Circle. Authorities deployed a large police contingent to maintain law and order throughout the exercise.
According to Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath, the administration aimed to clear approximately 650 bighas of government land out of an identified area of 800 bighas.
The operation involved more than 50 excavators, along with tractor-trolleys and other equipment. Revenue officials and administrative personnel were assigned different sectors to supervise the demolition process.
Furthermore, the administration maintained that the operation followed established legal procedures. Officials said the authorities had conducted hearings, issued speaking orders and provided residents with one month’s time to vacate the land.
The scale of the deployment reflected the administration’s preparations for the extensive clearance operation.
Mosque prayers and tears mark eviction scenes
The most emotional moments of the Dhubri eviction drive unfolded as demolition machinery moved through residential areas.
Several residents gathered at a local mosque and offered prayers while the operation continued. Others were seen crying near a shrine as bulldozers and excavators brought down houses and other structures.
One woman reportedly fainted after witnessing her house being demolished, adding to the distress surrounding the operation.
The scenes reflected the anxiety and uncertainty experienced by families losing their homes. For many residents, the demolition marked a major disruption to their lives and livelihoods.
Moreover, several affected families had earlier appealed to the authorities for alternative accommodation and rehabilitation. Some residents claimed they had purchased plots from private individuals and did not know that the land belonged to the government.
However, the administration maintained that the land was government property and that the eviction was being conducted according to the law.
Most families leave before the Dhubri eviction drive
According to Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath, nearly 550 families, comprising an estimated 4,000 people, had been living in the affected area.
However, a significant number of residents had already left before the demolition began. The Deputy Commissioner said nearly 80 per cent of the occupants had vacated the area after receiving notices from the administration.
Many families reportedly dismantled their houses themselves and moved their belongings to other locations to avoid losing everything during the demolition.
Despite the advance notices, the operation continued to affect families who had not relocated. Several residents remained concerned about finding alternative shelter and rebuilding their lives after leaving the area.
The administration had earlier urged occupants to vacate the land voluntarily and cooperate with officials during the clearance exercise.
Court cases complicate the Dhubri eviction drive
The Dhubri eviction drive has also raised legal questions, as some affected families approached the court seeking protection from the demolition.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, certain residents challenged the eviction and requested legal relief. Their cases remain under consideration, with the next hearing scheduled for November 13.
The administration said it had proceeded with the operation on land not covered by the pending legal challenges. This distinction is important because the authorities have not included the disputed portions in the ongoing demolition exercise.
Meanwhile, some residents have maintained that they acquired their plots through private transactions. They have expressed concern about the circumstances that led to their occupation of land now identified by the administration as government property.
The pending court proceedings could therefore influence further decisions concerning the families seeking judicial intervention.
Rehabilitation concerns remain after the eviction
The immediate challenge for displaced families is finding suitable accommodation and securing their livelihoods. Losing a home can also disrupt children’s education, access to essential services and everyday activities.
Although many residents moved out before the operation, questions about rehabilitation and alternative housing remain significant.
The administration has defended the eviction by stating that it aims to recover government land from alleged unauthorised occupation. However, the situation also highlights the difficulties faced by families who must relocate following large-scale demolition exercises.
The Dhubri eviction drive has once again brought attention to the balance between reclaiming public land and addressing the humanitarian concerns of affected residents.
As demolition work progresses, the legal proceedings involving some families will remain an important part of the developing situation. The November 13 hearing is expected to bring further clarity to their requests for relief.
For now, the prayers, tears and destruction witnessed in Alomganj reflect the uncertainty facing hundreds of families. The operation may clear the identified government land, but the challenges of displacement and rehabilitation remain unresolved.
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