Eviction Notices to 522 Families in Hailakandi Trigger Anxiety; Local MLA Seeks Fair Rehabilitation

Hailakandi, Assam:
A wave of fear and uncertainty has spread across the Damsara area under the Gharmura Reserved Forest in Hailakandi district after the Forest Department issued eviction notices to 522 families, directing them to vacate their residences.

Following the development, local MLA Suzam Uddin Laskar visited the affected area to interact with residents and assess the situation. Expressing concern, the legislator questioned the repeated conduct of eviction drives in specific localities and sought clarity on the process followed before issuing the notices.

While addressing residents, Laskar urged the authorities to adopt a humane and inclusive approach, stressing that large-scale displacement without rehabilitation could create serious social distress. He raised concerns over the lack of clarity regarding resettlement plans for the affected families.

The MLA stated that he has formally appealed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, requesting intervention to ensure that proper rehabilitation measures are put in place before any eviction is enforced. He emphasized that families should not be uprooted without alternative housing arrangements.

Residents of the area, many of whom claim to have lived there for several years, expressed deep anxiety over the possibility of losing their homes. For several economically vulnerable households, the notices have intensified fears of homelessness and loss of livelihood.

Laskar also cautioned that eviction exercises perceived as selective could have broader social implications, calling on the government to review the situation carefully and prioritise dialogue and rehabilitation over displacement.

Authorities are yet to issue a detailed response on the rehabilitation plan or the next course of action