A large-scale eviction drive in Assam’s Goalpara district on Sunday led to the removal of hundreds of families from land the state government says was illegally occupied within a reserve forest. Officials reported that the operation, covering more than 1,140 bighas (around 376 acres) in the Dahikata Reserve Forest, proceeded without major resistance.

Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Prodip Timung said the exercise was being conducted peacefully and nearly 70 per cent of those identified as “illegal settlers” had already vacated the area before the demolition began. “We issued notices more than 15 days ago. About 580 families had encroached on the land. Most have left after receiving the notices,” he said.

Timung added that the eviction was expected to be completed within the day. “We set asi

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