Gauhati High Court demands rehabilitation plan for evicted Assam families

The Gauhati High Court has intervened in the matter of mass evictions carried out in Kamrup Metropolitan district, directing authorities to provide details on rehabilitation and resettlement plans for the displaced families. The court's action follows the clearance of 100 bighas of notified tribal land in the Sonapur area in September 2024, which resulted in the displacement of approximately 650 households.

The eviction operation, aimed at reclaiming government-identified tribal land, disproportionately affected migrant Muslim communities residing in the area. The court's decision to seek clarification suggests concerns about the adequacy of support and relocation arrangements provided to the displaced persons in the aftermath of the evictions.

The high court's intervention reflects ongoing judicial scrutiny of land clearance operations in the state, particularly where large-scale population displacement is involved. The matter raises questions about the balance between land reclamation efforts and the welfare obligations owed to affected residents, especially vulnerable and minority populations.

The court has called for comprehensive details on rehabilitation schemes, alternative housing arrangements, and compensation mechanisms that have been or will be made available to the evicted families. The outcome of this intervention could significantly impact future eviction policies and enforcement of tribal land protection measures across Assam.