Supreme Court approves Assam mechanism to evict alleged encroachers of forest land

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed a mechanism proposed by the Assam government to clear alleged encroachments in forests, saying that the course of action to be adopted “contains sufficient procedural safeguards”.

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe was hearing petitions and appeals filed by residents of villages located in the Doyang, South Nambar, Jamuna Madunga, Gola Ghat and other reserved forests.

Assam’s forest department had issued eviction notices to the petitioners, alleging that they had illegally occupied land in the reserved forests.

The petitioners and appellants had argued that they and their families had resided in the villages for more than 70 years and that they had been issued Aadhaar cards, ration cards and other identity documents by the state.

During the hearing, the state government had filed an affidavit saying that it would set up a joint committee comprising officials from the forest department and the revenue department. The panel will give the residents an opportunity to submit evidence showing that they have the right to occupy the land.

The action to remove the residents can only be taken after it is proven that they have been encroaching on the land. A 15-day notice is to be provided through speaking orders to vacate the land.

The bench...

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