Guwahati: The Assam Forest Department has intensified its drive against alleged illegal encroachments in Golaghat district, issuing fresh eviction notices to 59 families at No. 2 Negheribil in Merapani, days after securing relief from the Supreme Court of India.
The notices, served on February 21 by the Golaghat Forest Division and signed by the Divisional Forest Officer, direct the families to vacate the land within seven days. The exercise was carried out jointly by the Forest Department, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and district police.
The action follows earlier eviction drives at Uriamghat in Sarupathar and at No. 2 Negheribil under Merapani in Golaghat district, targeting what the department has described as encroachments on notified forest land.
The dispute dates back to August 8, 2025, when eviction notices were first issued to 205 families residing at No. 2 Negheribil. Subsequently, 59 families fromNegheribil and 11 from Uriamghat moved the Gauhati High Court, seeking a stay on the eviction proceedings.
The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which on February 10 ruled in favour of the Forest Department, removing the legal impediment that had stalled the eviction process.
Officials said several residents declined to accept or acknowledge receipt of the fresh notices. In such cases, copies were affixed to their dwellings to ensure compliance with due procedure. Some occupants, however, accepted the documents.
Department sources indicated that if no fresh appeal is filed within the stipulated seven-day period, eviction operations at the identified locations are likely to commence soon.
