The Jamuna-Maudanga eviction drive resumed in Assam on Saturday, October 17, targeting 152 families in the Doboka area of Hojai district. The district administration and Forest Department aim to reclaim around 525 bighas of forest land allegedly occupied without authorisation.
Authorities deployed around 12 bulldozers for the operation. The renewed drive follows an earlier eviction exercise in January 2026, when officials removed hundreds of families from the reserved forest. The latest action focuses on households that had previously received temporary relief from eviction through court proceedings.
Jamuna-Maudanga eviction drive targets 152 families
The administration resumed the operation to clear the remaining alleged encroachments within the Jamuna-Maudanga Reserved Forest. The targeted area falls under the Doboka region of Hojai district.
Officials reportedly made announcements through loudspeakers on Friday, October 16, asking affected residents to vacate their houses before the operation began. Following the announcement, some families reportedly started moving out overnight.
Moreover, the deployment of bulldozers enabled authorities to proceed with the planned clearance. The operation aims to recover approximately 525 bighas of land identified by the administration as part of the alleged encroachment.
However, the number of families affected does not establish that every household occupied the land unlawfully. The status of individual claims depends on the relevant records and applicable legal procedures.
The renewed operation has brought attention back to the administration’s efforts to protect reserved forest land and resolve disputes over occupation in the area.
Background of the January eviction operation
The latest Jamuna-Maudanga eviction drive follows a large-scale operation conducted in January this year. During that exercise, the administration evicted 1,098 families and reclaimed around 700 hectares of land, according to published reports.
The January operation formed part of the government’s efforts to remove alleged unauthorised occupation from reserved forests. At the time, officials identified 1,258 families as occupying land within the forest area.
However, 152 families had approached the court and secured temporary relief from eviction. Their houses remained standing while their cases were under consideration.
As a result, the administration did not remove those households during the earlier operation. The latest drive now targets these remaining families as authorities seek to continue the forest clearance process.
The January exercise marked a significant step in the administration’s campaign to reclaim land identified as part of the reserved forest. Saturday’s operation represents a continuation of those efforts.
Legal proceedings remain an important factor
The Jamuna-Maudanga eviction drive has unfolded alongside legal proceedings concerning occupation of the reserved forest. The affected families had previously sought judicial intervention to challenge their removal.
In June 2026, the Gauhati High Court addressed eviction-related petitions concerning reserved forests in Assam, including Jamuna-Maudanga. The proceedings highlighted the importance of examining occupants’ claims and following the prescribed legal process.
The legal framework requires authorities to provide an opportunity for affected occupants to present documents supporting their claims. Officials must examine the evidence and follow the applicable procedures before removing unauthorised occupants.
Therefore, the distinction between alleged encroachment and established unauthorised occupation remains important. Each case may depend on the land’s notified boundaries, official records and the outcome of the relevant proceedings.
The resumption of the eviction drive does not, by itself, establish the legal status of every individual claim. Any specific protection or court direction applicable to an affected household must be assessed according to the relevant order.
Forest protection and affected residents
The renewed Jamuna-Maudanga eviction drive highlights the challenge of protecting reserved forest land while addressing disputes involving people living in the area.
For the administration, reclaiming land classified as reserved forest remains the central objective of the operation. Forest areas require protection against unauthorised occupation to support conservation and preserve land designated for forest use.
Meanwhile, eviction operations can disrupt the lives of affected households. Families asked to leave their homes may need to arrange alternative accommodation and relocate their belongings.
The reported overnight departures suggest that some residents began preparing for the operation after officials issued their announcement. However, available reports do not establish how many families had left by the start of the drive or what arrangements they had made for relocation.
Authorities must also distinguish between land falling within notified forest boundaries and land governed by other revenue classifications. Proper verification and compliance with legal requirements remain essential when resolving such disputes.
What happens next in Jamuna-Maudanga?
The administration’s immediate objective is to clear the identified area and reclaim around 525 bighas of allegedly encroached forest land. The operation follows months of eviction-related proceedings and the earlier clearance exercise in January.
However, the longer-term outcome will depend on the implementation of the applicable legal process and the resolution of any outstanding claims. The precise impact on affected households will become clearer as further details emerge.
Overall, the renewed Jamuna-Maudanga eviction drive marks another phase in Assam’s efforts to reclaim reserved forest land. The operation affects 152 families and underscores the need to balance forest protection with due process for residents whose occupation is disputed.