The Assam government has officially received a detailed report concerning the controversial Gorukhuti eviction drive of 2021, which resulted in the loss of two lives and displaced thousands of residents. The inquiry, led by retired high court judge BD Agarwal, culminated in a comprehensive 319-page document presented to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The findings of the report are based on extensive investigations, including 55 memoranda and testimonies from 44 witnesses, and they illuminate the contentious operation that saw the demolition of approximately 1,400 homes, leaving over 7,000 individuals homeless. Among the report’s 16 key recommendations, the commission underscored the urgent need to rectify deficiencies in the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation.
Critically, the report scrutinized the methods employed during the eviction process, highlighting excessive use of force and calling for a thorough reassessment of relevant legal clauses. It proposed the establishment of adequate notice periods to facilitate voluntary relocations, aiming to reduce conflicts and tensions during such operations.
The Gorukhuti eviction, conducted over three days in September 2021, ignited significant discourse around land rights and the treatment of marginalized communities in Assam. Following the eviction, the state government initiated an agricultural project in the cleared area, further complicating the socio-political landscape in the region.
As the government considers the report’s recommendations, there are calls for a more compassionate approach to land management that respects the rights of vulnerable populations. The findings of this inquiry are likely to influence future policies regarding land use and eviction practices in Assam.