Guwahati, Oct 25: The Assam government has rejected allegations by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman over the recent eviction drive at Lutumari Reserve Forest in Nagaon district, describing his remarks as presenting an “incomplete and misleading picture of the facts”.
Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah defended the operation in a detailed social media post on Sunday evening, asserting that it was carried out in accordance with legal procedures and was not directed at any particular religious or community group.
“This was neither an arbitrary action nor one directed against any particular religion or community,” Mallabaruah said.
His response came a day after Rahman expressed concern over the eviction of Muslim families and alleged demolition of mosques during the drive.
In a social media post on October 24, Rahman claimed that more than 1,100 families had been evicted within two days and that 10 mosques, some reportedly more than 50 years old, had also been demolished.
Countering these claims, Mallabaruah said the eviction proceedings on October 17 and 18 covered 314 hectares of notified forest land and involved 563 families.
The claims made in this post present an incomplete and misleading picture of the facts. On 17–18 October 2026, eviction proceedings were carried out across 314 hectares of notified forest land in Lutumari Reserve Forest, Nagaon, involving 563 families. This was neither an arbitrary action nor one directed against any particular religion or community. The proceedings followed the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, including its order dated 10 February 2026. The petitioners had pursued their legal remedies, and their Special Leave Petitions (Civil) Nos. 28719–28723/2026 were disposed of on 2 September 2026. Notices were served well in advance. We deliberately waited for the rainy and flood season to end, recognising the difficulties that displacement can cause to families. The occupants were given time to vacate their homes and remove their belongings. The operation was conducted peacefully, without reported resistance or use of force. On behalf of the Forest Department, I must emphasise that protecting notified forest land is both a legal responsibility and an ecological necessity. The reclaimed area will be restored with indigenous forest species to regenerate wildlife habitats, particularly for elephants, and help reduce human–elephant conflict. We respect every community and understand the human difficulties involved in such proceedings. But forest protection and the rule of law cannot be selectively interpreted through a religious lens.
— Jayanta Mallabaruah (@jayanta_malla) October 25, 2026
He said the operation followed directions issued by the Supreme Court, including its order dated February 10, 2026.
The occupants had also pursued legal remedies, with their Special Leave Petitions (Civil) Nos. 28719–28723/2026 disposed of on September 2, 2026, he said.
The minister said notices had been served well in advance and that the authorities had allowed occupants time to vacate their homes and remove their belongings.
“We deliberately waited for the rainy and flood season to end, recognising the difficulties that displacement can cause to families,” Mallabaruah said.
The state government plans to restore the reclaimed land by planting indigenous forest species.
According to Mallabaruah, the initiative is intended to regenerate wildlife habitats, particularly those used by elephants, and help reduce human-elephant conflict.
The figures cited by Rahman were not independently established in the information available.