Published by Aloto Naga | August 3, 2025
The Assam eviction drive near the Nagaland border is more than just a bureaucratic action it’s a bold and calculated move to reclaim state-owned forest land and reassert control over long-disputed territories. Spearheaded by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, this operation has ignited both praise and controversy as Assam confronts illegal settlements head-on, making a strong statement about land rights, ecological preservation, and demographic integrity.
At the heart of this campaign is a struggle that has long defined the Northeast: illegal encroachments, unresolved border disputes, and the fragile balance of ethnic coexistence. With bulldozers now rolling across Uriamghat and Rengma Reserve Forest, Assam is no longer asking for control over its land it is reclaiming it.
An Operation Rooted in History, Not Hatred
The current campaign spans 1.39 lakh bighas of allegedly encroached forest land across Assam a massive chunk that had slipped into unauthorized hands over decades. Forests that once echoed with the rustle of sal and segun have become hotbeds of plantations and informal settlements. That such transformation went unchecked for years reveals not just administrative failure, but a collective political silence. Also Read NSCN Slams Assam Over Naga Border Land Encroachment
This silence has now been broken. And while critics may raise concerns about displaced families and humanitarian issues, one must ask where were these voices when encroachments mushroomed unchecked? The ongoing operation is not a heartless demolition but a necessary correction. Order must precede empathy.
Border Collaboration Sets a New Precedent
What makes this drive remarkable is the rare display of cooperation between Assam and Nagaland. In an area as sensitive as the Disputed Area Belt (DAB), mutual suspicion has historically outweighed partnership. But not this time. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio have showcased an interstate coordination model that deserves national attention.
From intercepting over 200 vehicles attempting to enter Nagaland to deploying additional IRB battalions, Nagaland’s proactive stance ensured the border remained calm. Nagaland’s Home Minister Y. Patton personally supervised security along its 512-km border, affirming that inter-state respect need not be sacrificed at the altar of internal security.
The Machinery of Governance on Full Display
Over 150 excavators, 100+ JCBs, thousands of police and forest personnel, and coordinated CRPF deployment tell a story not just of force but of planning. The notices, issued days in advance, gave occupants a window to vacate. Operations unfolded zone by zone, village by village, showing precision uncommon in state-led initiatives. Also Read Dimapur Muslims Told Not to Shelter Evictees from Assam
Yet, all this infrastructure means little if the post-eviction phase isn’t handled with equal diligence. Where will the displaced go? Will genuine claimants be compensated? Can future forest misuse be preempted? These questions are not rhetorical—they are critical.
Eviction Is Easy. Healing Is Not.
Assam’s campaign is courageous, no doubt. But courage without compassion breeds resentment. This is where the state must rise beyond reclaiming land and begin restoring dignity. Transparent land surveys, legal ownership verifications, rehabilitation of genuine settlers, and compensation where due—these are not just good governance practices; they are moral imperatives.
Moreover, marginalized groups, especially tribal communities and migrant workers, must not become casualties in a bid to restore ecological order. A forest saved at the cost of people abandoned is no victory.
A Model for the Northeast Or a Warning Sign?
The Sarma-Rio cooperation model is powerful. It proves that even the most combustible border disputes can be tackled with political will and administrative synergy. Other Northeastern states grappling with similar encroachment crises should take note.
However, a note of caution: any future replication must also inherit Assam’s meticulous preparation and Nagaland’s cooperation not just its bulldozers.
Guarding Land, Guarding Legacy
This eviction drive, at its core, is Assam’s declaration: that its forests, identity, and territory are not for the taking. But once the dust settles and the machines leave, the real work begins of restoring trust, rehabilitating people, and redrawing policies to ensure that the same crisis doesn’t repeat in another generation.
Assam has chosen the harder path of confrontation over complacency. It is now up to civil society, media, and neighboring states to ensure that this path does not end in displacement alone, but in sustainable development.
