Assam: Encroachers from Sonapur land in Mayong, locals allegedly chase them away

Hundreds of encroachers from Sonapur, Assam landed in Mayong on September 15. As per sources, scores of vehicles with encroachers and their belongings continued to enter Mayong till late at night on September 15, causing suspicions among the residents.

Few locals even tried to question the encroachers who asked their permission to pass through their village in order to cross over and reach the Char areas through the Brahmaputra River.

One of the locals (name withheld) speaking to India Today NE said, "Locals had gathered late at night after suspecting unidentified people entering our village. Doubting that situation might escalate and cause trouble, we intervened and asked one of the drivers who were they. To which the drivers said that they were coming from Sonapur eviction site and were now heading to the Char areas where they were originally residing".

 

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Another local (name withheld) while speaking to India Today NE said, "Nothing serious happened. Just that the locals were a bit suspicious and wondering if the encroachers from Sonapur will settle here after being evicted by the authorities. The fact is, these people are not landless but yes were evicted earlier from here too. It is a matter of great concern as these people are continuously being evicted from all places and are forced to go back to their original place where again they might face a similar eviction. The OC of Mayong police station did come here and took stock of the situation and even asked the locals if the vehicles start arriving here again. Whatever the authorities is doing is good. But the eviction will bore no fruits, if these people are continuously evicted, made to stay at one place temporary and again evicted and shifted to other places.".

India Today NE tried contacting Officer-in-charge of Mayong Police Station, but failed to get any response.

After a day-long eviction at Sonapur's Kachutali, the encroachers left the tribal belt region and started moving towards their original places carrying their belongings. 

 

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Vehicles laden with household belongings, including traditional items were seen leaving the site as families moved to alternative locations. The eviction has led to residents hurriedly packing their belongings and departing the area.

The Kamrup Metropolitan district administration initiated a renewed eviction drive at Kachutali on September 9. This operation, spearheaded by senior officials, commenced early in the morning and was executed under heavy security, including the deployment of police and paramilitary forces.

The crackdown aimed to dismantle unauthorized structures erected on government land, a response to growing concerns over illegal settlements in the area. It was reported that some encroachers had used the Kallang river route to occupy the land at Kachutali, where they had been residing for an extended period.