In a large-scale demolition drive in Assam’s Goalpara district, over 660 houses were razed by authorities, rendering hundreds of residents homeless. The operation, reportedly aimed at removing “encroachments” from government land, has triggered widespread criticism from civil rights activists and affected families.
The demolition took place in the Darrangamela and Matia areas, with bulldozers arriving early in the morning and flattening entire neighbourhoods. Many of the affected residents allege they were given no prior notice or opportunity to present legal documentation.
Families, including women, children, and elderly people, were seen sitting amidst the rubble of their homes, expressing despair and shock. Several local residents claimed that they had been living in the area for decades, and that the state failed to provide alternative housing or rehabilitation plans.
Human rights groups have condemned the act, calling it an extension of the state’s ongoing pattern of targeting minority and economically marginalized communities under the guise of land clearance and development.
Assam’s BJP-led government has previously come under scrutiny for similar demolition drives in other districts, which critics say are politically motivated and disproportionately affect Muslims and tribal groups.
While the state government maintains that the action was legal and necessary, affected families continue to demand justice, compensation, and immediate relief.
