GUWAHATI: Authorities carried out two major eviction drives in Assam on Tuesday,June 30, with the Northeast Frontier Railway clearing encroachments from railway land in Sonari's Safrai area, while the Sribhumi district administration demolished illegal structures built on government land and drainage channels across Sribhumi town.
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In Charaideo district's Safrai, the railway administration launched a large-scale operation to reclaim encroached land near Safrai Railway Station. Officials said nearly 64 families had been occupying railway land for several years, prompting the drive to recover several acres of railway property.
Using bulldozers, authorities demolished illegal residential houses and business establishments constructed on railway land. The operation began early in the morning and was carried out under heavy security, with personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Assam Police deployed to maintain law and order.
Railway officials said the eviction was completed peacefully without any major resistance, and all identified encroachments on the railway land were cleared. The drive forms part of the Railways' ongoing efforts to reclaim its land from illegal occupation.
Meanwhile, in Sribhumi district, the district administration and the Sribhumi Municipal Board launched a separate eviction drive targeting encroachments on government land and public drainage systems. The action came just hours after Assam Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister of Sribhumi, Kaushik Rai, visited the area.
The operation began along Brajendra Road, where a large contingent of police personnel, assisted by four JCB machines, demolished portions of nearly 60 houses that had allegedly extended onto government land and covered roadside drains.
According to officials, the drive was initiated following repeated complaints from residents over chronic waterlogging caused by blocked drainage channels.
A survey conducted by the Sribhumi Municipal Board had identified several structures built over government land and drains, obstructing the natural flow of rainwater and contributing to artificial flooding even after light showers.
After marking the encroached areas, the administration initiated demolition to restore the drainage network and reclaim public land. Officials said similar eviction drives will continue in other parts of Sribhumi as part of efforts to improve urban infrastructure and prevent recurring flooding.