Guwahati: Senior leaders of the All India United Democratic Front have accused the Assam government of carrying out eviction drives that target Muslim families under the claim of removing encroachers and doubtful citizens. AIUDF vice president Aminul Islam and general secretary Rafiqul Islam made the allegations during a press conference where they questioned the process, timing and outcomes of recent operations.
The leaders said the state carried out multiple eviction drives in areas linked to the Burhachapori wildlife sanctuary. They alleged that families with three generation documents were denied land pattas under Mission Basundhara despite meeting the requirements. They said the same scheme has issued pattas to others across the state.
Rafiqul Islam said no other state uses the label doubtful citizen while removing people from their homes. He said the state has the machinery to check records and verify claims before demolitions. The leaders claimed that corruption linked to the demarcation of the Burhachapori area has affected hundreds of families. They said payments influenced how officials marked the forest boundary.
The AIUDF leaders raised questions about the state’s earlier decisions to set up schools, health centres and government facilities in the same areas now marked for eviction. They said the Burhachapori region was proposed as a sanctuary in 2013 and notified in 2022. They also objected to the timing of the drives during the winter months, stating that large numbers of children have left school and many families are living under tarpaulin sheets.
They asked the Gauhati High Court to intervene and demanded non bailable cases against officials responsible for the drives. They also criticised successive governments for following similar eviction policies. Rafiqul Islam said the party will contest around 35 assembly seats and seeks a wider anti BJP alliance. He reiterated support for Scheduled Tribe status for seven indigenous communities.
