Guwahati: The Gauhati high court has directed the Assam govt to respond to a petition seeking rehabilitation for people evicted from non-cadastral villages in Nagaon district last year, with special concern for the elderly, children, pregnant women, lactating mothers and persons with disabilities.The petition was filed by social worker Bhupen Sarma of Nagaon, seeking rehabilitation measures for those evicted from the non-cadastral (unsurveyed) villages of Longjap, Ranipukhuri and Lutumari under the Lutumari reserve forest area in Kampur Revenue Circle.The petitioner contended that the evicted families had lived in the area for around 35-45 years after displacement due to river erosion or landlessness. “They had also been provided with govt welfare schemes like ration cards under the National Food Security Act, 2013, access to Anganwadi Centres and schools. They had hitherto been provided with water under Jal Jeevan Mission,” the petitioner stated.Appearing for the petitioner, counsel D Ghosh submitted that the eviction was carried out by the forest and revenue departments by demolishing homes and destroying horticulture plantations, without any rehabilitation scheme, leaving the affected people vulnerable. He also raised concern for the elderly, children, pregnant women, lactating mothers and persons with disabilities.After hearing the petitioner’s counsel, the court directed additional advocate general PN Goswami to respond to the petition by the next date. The matter will be heard on April 27.The eviction drive to clear 5,962 bighas of land in the Lutumari reserve forest was carried out by the district administration in Nov last year. The forest land was allegedly illegally occupied by about 8,000 people. The eviction followed a drone survey by the forest department to assess encroachment in the area.
