The BJP government in Assam has linked the recent visit of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to the violent clashes in Goalpara on Thursday, which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old. The violence broke out five days after an eviction drive—targeting 1,080 families, including the slain teen’s—had concluded peacefully.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused the Congress of “instigating” the evicted families, while the Opposition has criticized the administration for its “inhumane treatment” of those left homeless.
Assam CM Himanta Rahul
On July 12, a large-scale eviction drive in Assam’s Goalpara district demolished the homes of 1,080 families, clearing approximately 140 hectares of land. While the eviction was carried out without immediate resistance, many displaced families remained at the site, living in makeshift shelters made from tarpaulin, stating they had no alternative accommodation.
Tensions escalated on Thursday when authorities attempted to block the main access road to the demolished settlement. A violent confrontation erupted between the evicted residents and security personnel, including police and forest guards. During the clash, police opened fire, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Shawkar Ali and injuries to two others. Over a dozen police and forest officials were also injured in the incident.
The tragedy has sparked a political war of words. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma blamed the Congress for “instigating” the evicted families, while the Opposition accused the government of “inhumane treatment” of the displaced. Congress MP Rakibul Hussain and MLA Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam visited the grieving families shortly after the incident. They participated in the funeral rites of Shawkar Ali, with both leaders seen carrying the coffin, expressing solidarity with the affected community.
Forest official Sunnydeo Indradeo Choudhury stated that the department intended to restrict all but one access point to the eviction site in an effort to prevent further encroachment. He claimed that individuals from outside the original settlement were setting up camps in the area in hopes of claiming compensation.
Meanwhile, Goalpara Superintendent of Police Nabaneet Mahanta reported on Friday that nine people had been arrested in connection with Thursday’s violence. Additionally, another individual—also among those evicted—was detained for allegedly making “threatening statements” against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
During their one-day visit to Guwahati, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns over the large-scale eviction drives undertaken by the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government. Kharge stated that if the Congress comes to power in next year’s Assembly elections, it would rebuild the homes that had been demolished.
In response, Chief Minister Sarma accused the Congress of inciting unrest among the evicted families. He claimed that local Congress workers had intensified tensions, leading to the violent clash. “On Wednesday night, district Congress members provoked the families. By morning, police and forest officials were brutally attacked with bricks, sticks, and machetes. Preparations for the attack were made throughout the night,” Sarma said on Thursday evening.
He further added that a case had been registered and those involved in the alleged conspiracy would be held accountable. “If necessary, we will summon Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for questioning,” the Chief Minister Himanta asserted.
Last month, around 660 families were evicted from Hasila Beel village, located in Congress MLA Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam’s Goalpara East constituency.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated at a press conference that officials across districts had been directed to remove evicted individuals from local voter lists, calling the move a step to “protect Assamese constituencies.”
Criticizing the government’s actions, AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam compared the situation to conditions in Gaza, particularly the decision to block relief by destroying access roads to the evicted sites.
He noted that even when thousands were forced out of their homes, there was no resistance. “People cried, vacated their houses, and watched them being demolished. There was no unrest,” he said. “But even after that, authorities kept returning to remove their makeshift shelters and force them out, despite them having nowhere to go. Then they cut off the road, preventing any relief from reaching them.”
