Assam: 1 Dead, 21 Hurt In Violence After Eviction Drive; Himanta Accuses Rahul Of ‘Provoking’ Encroachers
Following a prior eviction of 1,080 families from Assam's Paikan Reserve Forest, violence erupted when authorities returned to prevent re-encroachment. Clashes between forces and evicted individuals resulted in one death and over 20 injuries.
A violent confrontation erupted on Thursday in Assam’s Goalpara district between security personnel and individuals previously evicted from forest land, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to over 20, including police and forest officials. The incident occurred near the Paikan Reserve Forest, where authorities were continuing efforts to secure the land following an earlier eviction drive.
Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Prodip Timung told news agency PTI that when forest and police personnel arrived to reinforce a cordon around the Paikan Reserve Forest, they were met with aggression. “Encroachers attacked forest guards and police personnel with sticks, stones and bricks,” he said. In response, security personnel opened fire to control the situation, resulting in one death and injuries to two others, he added.
The earlier eviction drive, conducted on Saturday, cleared encroachments across approximately 135 hectares within the Krishnai Range. A total of 1,080 families—mainly Bengali-speaking Muslims—were affected. The forest department had returned to the site to begin work on a channel aimed at preventing future encroachments, but the resumption of activities triggered the latest violence.
Additional forces have since been deployed, and several individuals have been detained for questioning. A forest department official confirmed that efforts to reclaim and protect the reserve land would continue despite the unrest.
CM Himanta Blames Gandhi’s Visit, Slams 'Irresponsible Rhetoric'
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma squarely blamed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly inciting the violence. “Rahul Gandhi came to Assam and openly encouraged encroachers to occupy forest land,” he posted on X, referring to Gandhi’s day-long visit to the state on Wednesday. He further said, “This is the disastrous legacy of Rahul Gandhi’s one-day visit to Assam. His irresponsible rhetoric has directly endangered lives and disrupted peace in our state. The people of Assam will neither forget nor forgive this betrayal.”
Rahul Gandhi came to Assam and openly encouraged encroachers to occupy forest land. Emboldened by his reckless words, today a violent mob attacked our police and forest personnel while attempting to forcefully encroach upon the Paikan Reserve Forest.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 17, 2025
In the line of duty, 21…
Gandhi had been in Guwahati along with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, where they addressed a closed-door meeting with party leaders and later spoke at a workers’ gathering in Chaygaon. Gandhi alleged during the visit that land is being snatched from people across the country and handed over to a select few industrialists.
Himanta said these remarks “emboldened” the mob that later clashed with the police in Goalpara. “If anyone attacks the police, they will have to face legal action,” the Chief Minister told reporters, as quoted by PTI.
He confirmed that 21 police personnel and forest staff suffered serious injuries in the attack. “Left with no choice, the police had to open fire to restore order,” he said, noting that the eviction had already been completed and the administration was now moving towards plantation work in the cleared area.
Mob Allegedly Torches School Furniture; Security on High Alert
Timung expressed concern over the sudden resistance following a peaceful eviction just days prior. “We have to analyse the reason. The people who were evicted and residents from other areas are among the attackers,” he said, as per PTI. Locals claimed that some of the agitated crowd also set fire to the furniture of a nearby government school, but fire tenders were able to contain the blaze.
Student and youth organisations attempted to approach the affected site, but security forces stopped them approximately 2 km from the area. Barricades were installed and media personnel were barred from entering. Authorities later resorted to baton charges to disperse crowds that had gathered nearby.
A student leader claimed that several evicted families were still sheltering under tarpaulin sheets and had requested more time to relocate. “These people were looking for alternative living arrangements and requested the administration for some more time to shift. But the authorities were now trying to close the road that led to the area,” he said, terming the incident unfortunate while urging empathy for the displaced.
Assam Police to Review Congress Leaders’ Speeches: CM Himanta Sarma
According to ANI, Himanta said police would examine the speeches made by Gandhi and Kharge. “Police will go through the speeches made by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. If we see some elements invite penal action, the Police will not hesitate to take action against Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said.
Yesterday in Guwahati Rahul Gandhi and Kharge ji incited land jihadis. Today these very people began to physically assault Assam Police. pic.twitter.com/QKRUXQgLlP
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 17, 2025
He alleged that during their meeting, the Congress leaders “openly encouraged encroachers and Land Jihadis to encroach government lands”.
He added, “Today morning, the evicted people started throwing stones and beating police with sticks and other weapons… 21 police personnel were injured… When the police had no other option but to open fire, one encroacher died, and another is under treatment. Police have registered a case. We will see who is directly or indirectly responsible for this incident.”
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