Ten held for attack on security forces in evicted area of Paikan Reserve Forest: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday (July 18, 2025) said 10 people have been arrested in connection with an attack on security forces by alleged encroachers in Paikan Reserve Forest, which led to the death of one person and injuries to more than 20 others.

He claimed that all encroachers have been cleared from the area, where an eviction drive was carried out last week. “We have already taken action. Ten people have been arrested within hours of the incident. Our action has been completed,” Mr. Sarma said, addressing a press conference in Guwahati.

One alleged encroacher was killed and more than 20 others, including policemen, were injured in a clash between evicted people and security personnel in Paikan Reserve Forest in Goalpara district on Thursday (July 17, 2025.)

The eviction drive carried out on July 12 to clear encroachment on around 135 hectares in the Reserve Forest under Krishnai Range had affected 1,080 families, and the evicted people were mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The Chief Minister said Paikan is ‘empty now’ and added, “They won’t come there again. After a point, they don’t return, I know from experience.” He said 40-50 families were staying in temporary shelters even after the eviction drive, with the authorities also not pushing him out immediately as they had assured him of leaving the area soon.

Reiterating his accusation against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of emboldening the encroachers through his speech during his Assam visit on Wednesday (July 16, 2025), Mr. Sarma said, “People from Goalpara had come for Gandhi’s meeting. Later, they went to Paikan at night and instigated the people, who attacked the forest guards and police the next day.” “Police are looking into whether there was any impact of Kharge and Gandhi’s provocative speeches. After all, one person died,” he added.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had accompanied Rahul Gandhi during the day-long visit.