Assam Minister Slams Bangladesh Leader's 'Misleading' Claims on Eviction Drive
Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah slams Bangladesh opposition leader's claims over Lutumari Reserve Forest evictions, citing SC orders.
Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by Shafiqur Rahman, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bangladesh Parliament and Ameer-e-Jamaat of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, regarding a recent Assam eviction drive. The Minister accused the Bangladeshi leader of painting an "incomplete and misleading" picture of the events that took place at the Lutumari Reserve Forest in Nagaon district.
The Dispute Over Lutumari Reserve Forest
The controversy erupted after Shafiqur Rahman expressed concern over the eviction of Muslim families and alleged the demolition of mosques, attempting to frame the government operation through a religious lens. In a detailed response on X, Minister Baruah clarified that the exercise was neither arbitrary nor targeted at any specific religion or community.
According to the Minister, the operation was strictly a legal effort to reclaim notified forest land. The details of the drive are as follows:
- Date of Operation: October 17 and 18, 2026.
- Area Reclaimed: 314 hectares of notified forest land.
- Families Affected: 563 families.
Legal Backing and Supreme Court Mandates
Minister Baruah emphasized that the state government did not act on a whim but followed a rigorous legal process. He cited specific directions from the Supreme Court of India, including an order dated February 10, 2026, which outlined the necessary procedures for evicting occupants from notified forest areas in Assam.
The Minister further noted that the occupants had already exhausted their legal options. Special Leave Petitions (Civil) filed by the petitioners were disposed of by the Supreme Court on September 2, 2026, leaving the state government with the legal authority to proceed.
Humanitarian Considerations and Peace
To counter the narrative that the drive was arbitrary, the Assam government highlighted several steps taken to minimize hardship:
- Advance Notice: Notices were served to the occupants well before the operation began.
- Timing: The government deliberately waited for the rainy and flood seasons to pass to avoid adding to the distress of displaced families.
- Ample Time: Occupants were given sufficient time to vacate their premises and move their belongings.
The Minister stated that the entire proceeding remained peaceful, with no reports of resistance or the use of force by authorities.
Ecological Goals Over Religious Narratives
Beyond the legalities, Minister Baruah stressed that protecting notified forest land is an ecological necessity. He explained that the reclaimed land is slated for restoration through the plantation of indigenous forest species. This move is intended to regenerate wildlife habitats, specifically for elephants, which in turn will help reduce human-elephant conflict in the region.
"Forest protection and the rule of law cannot be selectively interpreted through a religious lens," the Minister asserted, reiterating that the government respects all communities but must uphold its legal obligation to protect the environment.
By grounding his response in Supreme Court records and environmental goals, Minister Baruah has firmly rejected the attempt by the Bangladesh opposition leader to portray a conservation measure as a religiously motivated action.