Assam: Mising tribal organisations come forward in support of eviction drive conducted by CM Sarma

The drive is aimed at removing illegal migrants from the tribal belt and block areas.

Cedrik Lagachu, leader of the Mising National Organisation of Assam, told ANI that the tribal belt and block areas are reserved exclusively for tribal people and that no one else has the right to settle there.

"We welcome the eviction drive initiated by the current Assam government under the leadership of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to remove illegal encroachers from the tribal belt and block areas. We urge the government to continue this drive, as many areas are still illegally occupied by migrants," said Cedrik Lagachu.

He also called on the people of Assam to unite in support of tribal communities.

"However, it is concerning that opposition leaders are siding with illegal migrants and encroachers who have taken over tribal land. We urge these leaders to stop their actions, and we call on the people of Assam to come together to protect the tribal communities and their land," he added.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reported that two people had been killed and seven others injured after police opened fire to control a mob that attacked police personnel and government officials during the eviction drive in the Kamrup (Metro) district.

Sarma explained on Thursday that while the eviction initially proceeded peacefully, the situation "worsened" following the involvement of Congress.

A total of 22 police personnel and a revenue circle officer were injured in the clashes in Sonapur on Thursday.

Speaking to the media at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Guwahati on 13 September, Sarma said, "The eviction drive was conducted peacefully. However, when Congress began opposing the eviction in the morning, the situation deteriorated. A large group of people, armed with lathis and bamboo sticks, attacked the police and government officials. As a result, 22 police personnel and a revenue circle officer were injured. The police fired shots, leading to the deaths of two people and injuries to seven others."

"Sonapur is a tribal belt and block area, and the government conducted the eviction drive against illegal encroachers," the chief minister added. (ANI)