Assam Chief Minister Criticizes Jamiat Chief Over Eviction Drive Concerns
Guwahati, Assam – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sharply criticized Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani following MadaniS call for a halt to ongoing eviction drives in the state and concerns over their implementation. The exchange highlights escalating tensions surrounding the evictions, which aim to clear land for progress projects and combat illegal settlements.
Madani, addressing a press conference, expressed sadness over the manner in which evictions are being carried out in Assam, particularly in Goalpara and surrounding areas, claiming they are “being done without following the laid-down guidelines” established by the Supreme Court.He demanded rehabilitation for “bona fide citizens” affected by the drives, stating, “The Supreme Court has repeatedly said that whenever an eviction happens, a rehabilitation plan should also be there.”
He further alleged that the government was dividing people based on religion, using terms like “miya,” “unknown,” and “doubtful” – accusations sarma has not directly addressed in response to Madani’s statements. Madani emphasized that systems exist to verify citizenship and questioned why identified foreigners were not being deported.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has also called for the removal of Chief Minister Sarma over the evictions, a demand Madani defended as within the organization’s rights.
The Assam government has been conducting large-scale eviction drives aimed at reclaiming land allegedly occupied by illegal settlers, frequently enough focusing on areas considered ecologically sensitive or earmarked for development. Thes drives have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the displacement of communities and potential human rights violations. The government maintains the evictions are necessary for the state’s development and to protect its resources,and are being conducted within legal frameworks.
(Updated to reflect latest information as of the source text.)