Pankaj Nath, Assam: More than 200 temporary structures (huts) built on railway land were demolished in a major anti-encroachment drive by the Railway Department in Jalukbari area of Assam’s Guwahati on Friday. The action was taken with an aim to lay additional track and clear land required for connectivity projects. According to officials, the assistance of Assam Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and concerned magistrates was taken during the operation and tight security arrangements were maintained in the area. Heavy machinery such as bulldozers and excavators were deployed at the operation site.
A senior railway official said the encroached area is a low-lying wetland zone stretching from the banks of the Brahmaputra river towards Adabari, where cases of illegal occupation have been reported over the years. Officials said that many of the structures were temporary and some people had built and rented out many huts, which led to the expansion of the settlement. “The land is entirely the property of the railways and has been illegally acquired for many years,” the official said. The land is required for laying double tracks and other railway infrastructure projects. We are clearing this stretch from the banks of the Brahmaputra river to Adabari for projects. The railways also said that around 200 families had resided here and many families said that they had been living here for the last five-six years. Officials, however, say the land is in possession of the railways and encroachment cannot be tolerated in view of plans for major public infrastructure works. Officials said that in the past years, action has been taken to remove encroachments in this area several times, but in some places people used to return and build temporary structures.
For this reason, the Railways took strict measures this time and said that this campaign will continue until the entire area is evacuated. This action was taken through legal formalities and coordination with the local administration. Security forces made extensive deployment in the area to maintain peace while railway officials recorded demolished structures and baggage. No casualties have been reported so far; The local administration may also assess the situation and options of the affected families, it has been learnt. Railway sources said that further planning and timeline will be announced on the basis of project progress and spatial survey.
