Enroachers in Kalapani Hill Get 7 Day Eviction Notice

Guwahati: Amid growing concerns over illegal land occupation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently stated that the government is determined to “finish land jihad” in the state. His remarks come as the Forest Department issued a 7-day eviction notice to encroachers residing in the Kalapani Hill area of Guwahati.

The hill, locally known as ‘Nepali Basti’ and ‘Garo Basti’, has drawn attention after officials reported that many current settlers are not actually from the Nepali or Garo communities. Instead, they allegedly used the traditional name of the area to justify their presence and avoid eviction.

The forest department claims that the land has been illegally grabbed and is part of protected forest territory. “The settlers have no valid documents. They have built houses, dug ponds, and cleared trees on government land,” said a senior forest official.

In response to the Chief Minister’s statement, residents of the hill claimed they are not from any one community or place. “We are people from different parts of Assam and neighbouring states. We are not one group. We came here to find shelter,” said one resident.

Some local elders from the original communities allege that outsiders forced them out over time and used the names ‘Nepali’ and ‘Garo Basti’ to gain sympathy and create a cover for illegal settlement.

The Forest Department has warned of strict eviction action after the 7-day deadline, with police support to prevent conflict. Officials have appealed to residents to vacate peacefully, while some rights groups have asked for proper identification of genuine settlers and humane relocation plans.

The Kalapani Hill issue has now become part of a broader campaign by the Assam government to reclaim public land from illegal occupation, particularly in forest and grazing zones.