Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr. Numal Momin, has come out strongly in favour of the ongoing Assam eviction drives.
Speaking on Saturday, he said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government was right to remove illegal encroachments on government land.
He described the actions as necessary to protect public resources and uphold the rule of law.
Dr. Momin insisted that the evictions are not driven by political vendetta.
Instead, he said, they reflect the state’s commitment to preserving government and forest lands.
Congress Accused of Encouraging Encroachment
In a sharp political attack, Dr. Momin accused the Congress party of encouraging illegal settlers in Assam.
He alleged that previous Congress governments ignored encroachments for vote-bank politics.
“The Congress has always promoted encroachment for political gain,” Dr. Momin said.
He argued that this practice endangered Assam’s land resources and disrupted social harmony.
He said the BJP government was now cleaning up decades of negligence.
Assam’s Rising Tensions Over Land
Eviction drives in Assam have become a heated political and social issue.
In recent months, the government has cleared thousands of hectares across several districts.
These include areas like Nagaon, Goalpara, and Darrang, where settlements allegedly sprang up on forest and government land.
Evictions often trigger protests and accusations of targeting particular communities.
Congress leaders have claimed that the drives displace poor families and minorities.
Government’s Justification
The state government argues the evictions are legal and necessary.
Officials say encroachments threaten the environment, wildlife habitats, and public projects. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly said there will be “zero tolerance” for illegal occupation.
The government maintains that settlers are being given notices and opportunities to present their claims.
Relief measures are also promised for genuine landless families.
Read the Assam government’s official stance on eviction drives here.
Evictions Draw Mixed Public Response
Public opinion in Assam remains divided.
Many people, particularly in urban areas, support reclaiming government land.
They say illegal settlements often block infrastructure and public services.
Others fear that poor families are paying the price.
Activists warn that evictions without proper rehabilitation create humanitarian crises.
Read a detailed report on Assam eviction drives and human rights concerns.
BJP vs Congress: Political Blame Game
Dr. Numal Momin’s comments have deepened the political divide.
Congress leaders swiftly reacted, accusing the BJP of misusing eviction drives for political mileage.
Congress spokesperson Apurba Bhattacharya said:
“The BJP government is punishing the poor while protecting big encroachers linked to its own party.”
Dr. Momin rejected such criticism, saying the Congress has no moral right to speak on land issues.
He challenged Congress leaders to explain why encroachments flourished under their rule.
Future of Assam Eviction Drives
Observers believe the Assam eviction drives will remain in focus in the run-up to the 2026 state elections.
The BJP is portraying itself as tough on illegal encroachments and defenders of public resources.
The Congress, meanwhile, is trying to frame the issue as one of social justice and minority rights.
Both parties know the land question touches millions of voters across Assam.
Political analysts predict more fiery debates and protests in the coming months.
Legal Framework and Criticism
Eviction drives in Assam operate under various legal provisions.
These include the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act and forest conservation laws.
However, critics say the laws are sometimes used arbitrarily.
Courts have occasionally stepped in to halt evictions if proper procedures were not followed.
Human rights groups are urging the government to balance law enforcement with humanitarian concerns.
Follow ongoing updates on Assam eviction drives here.