Assam demolition drive targets Bengali Muslim settlements, religious structures

Demolition teams in Assam have razed residential structures in predominantly Bengali Muslim neighborhoods, according to accounts from residents and local observers. The operation, presented by state authorities as part of efforts to reclaim public land, has displaced families and destroyed private property across multiple locations.

Allegations have emerged that religious structures, including mosques, have been targeted alongside residential buildings during the eviction drive. Residents and community leaders have expressed alarm over what they characterize as disproportionate enforcement affecting minority communities in the northeastern Indian state.

The demolitions add to longstanding tensions over land rights and citizenship status in Assam, where Bengali-origin Muslims have faced scrutiny under various state policies. Previous eviction campaigns have similarly drawn criticism from human rights advocates who argue that enforcement has been uneven and has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations.

State authorities have justified the operations as necessary to clear encroachments on government land and recover public property. However, representatives of affected communities have contested the designations of land as government property and questioned the procedural fairness of the demolitions.

The situation remains fluid, with officials indicating that the operation may continue. Civil society organizations have called for an independent assessment of the evictions and greater transparency regarding the legal basis and scope of the ongoing campaign.