4,000 structures razed, 10k bighas freed at Rengma Reserve Forest
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Guwahati: After five days of the first phase of eviction on Saturday, over 10,000 bighas (approx. 1,300 hectares or 13 sq km) of forest land have been reclaimed and around 4,000 concrete houses demolished at Uriamghat in Golaghat's Rengma Reserve Forest.
Sarupathar BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan, who is overseeing the eviction operation, told TOI, "The first phase of the eviction drive at Rengma is over. Initially, we estimated the encroached land to be about 11,000 bigha (approx. 14.3 sq km), but it turned out to be much more. In these five days, we have reclaimed about 70% of the total encroached area."
He added that the notice period for second phase of eviction in Rengma reserve forest is not over yet.
The forest area in Sarupathar comprises Rengma and South Nambor Reserve Forests. Phukan said eviction will begin in two villages in South Nambor on Sunday.
Phukan added that once the eviction is complete, the govt plans to develop the area, including transforming it into a tourist destination.
Eviction at Rengma was kicked off at Bidyapur market early morning of July 29, where the authorities demolished around 120 commercial structures. Large number of bulldozers were pressed into service in presence of police, forest personnel, and CRPF. About 80% of the over 2500 families had already vacated voluntarily by July 28.
The evicted families primarily belong to the Muslim community. Ahead of the eviction, Nagaland govt had issued an advisory to bordering districts to prevent displaced people from crossing into the state.
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