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Time of India

Eviction drive fuels exodus of Uriamghat families to ancestral lands

Guwahati: In the wake of Assam's aggressive eviction operations targeting encroachers in Rengma Reserve Forest, a significant exodus of goods-laden vehicles is underway from Uriamghat, signalling one of the state's largest eviction drives. Authorities in Nagaland have issued warnings to districts about potential illegal migrant movements as families, served with eviction notices, depart for ancestral homes in central Assam's Nagaon and Morigaon districts. The relocation has sparked concerns among residents of Nagaon and Morigaon about potential land disputes, particularly with the influx of numerous Muslim families, some of East Pakistan/Bangladesh origin. Over 70% of the families who received eviction notices have vacated the area, where many had settled since the 1970s, raising fears they might occupy other government or forest lands if relatives refuse to accommodate them. "We are keeping a watch on the movement of people from Uriamghat to Nagaon," said Nagaon district commissioner Devashish Sharma. "Many families coming into our district have their own lands in Nagaon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo For those who have lands in Nagaon district, it has also been verified where these people are going to resettle. However, all land revenue staff have been put on alert to report immediately if people who do not have roots in that area in Nagaon district enter," he added. Govt sources reveal most families are relocating to minority-populated areas like Juria in Nagaon and Dhing in Morigaon. The question remains whether relatives will accept these families on their ancestral lands after their extended stay in Uriamghat. Officials confirm that families or their ancestors listed on land deeds will receive their share, but complications arise as many families previously sold their land portions to relatives who may be unwilling to return these shares from already limited plots. Simanta Bora, Nagaon district unit president of the All Assam Students' Union, said, "There have been movements of vehicles and trucks from Uriamghat to Nagaon and Morigaon in the last few days. If they resettle in their own lands, we do not have any problem. But in the name of resettlements, these families should not be allowed to encroach govt or forest lands again. We are monitoring the situation." Despite public declarations from some Muslim-populated areas refusing to accept encroachers, those relocating remain determined to settle in their ancestral lands. "Our people are not Bangladeshis but Indian citizens. That's why we are going to Nagaon and Morigaon in the heart of Assam. We hope our relatives will understand our plight," said Abdul Hanif of Juria. He added, "When we went there to Uriamghat for farming and save Assam lands from encroachment attempts by Nagas, the Assam govt did not drive us out from there. We lived there for five decades, but today destiny has forced us to resettle in our own lands. We accept it."