Silchar: Authorities on Sunday launched a large-scale eviction drive to clear illegal settlements from the Badsahi and Dohalia reserve forests in the Patharkandi constituency of Sribhumi district, aiming to reclaim nearly 12,000 hectares of encroached forest land and evict 975 families.The operation is being carried out across several forest pockets after nearly 1,000 families were served eviction notices. Senior district and forest officials remained present on the ground, with police and paramilitary forces deployed in strength to ensure security and maintain law and order.Karimganj divisional forest officer Amol R Borhade said many residents had already vacated their homes following the notices, and the focus was now on dismantling the remaining settlements. “The drive is progressing peacefully. It will take around three days to reclaim the land, and another two days may be required to complete the entire operation,” Borhade said.According to officials, the eviction involves the demolition of houses and makeshift structures, as well as the clearing of overgrown vegetation, to restore the land to its natural forest state. A total of 45 excavators and seven trained elephants have been deployed for the exercise. About 300 forest department personnel and 400 labourers are engaged in the operation.Borhade said there was no resistance from any quarter during the first day of the drive. “The eviction will resume on Monday,” he added.The operation spans multiple reserve forest areas in Patharkandi, including Madhurban, Narayanpur, Chagalmowa, Madhabpur, Badshahi and Dohalia. Officials said the eviction drive is part of a sustained effort to protect reserve forests, reclaim encroached land and prevent future encroachments.
