Supreme Court notice on plea against eviction of Bengali Muslims in Assam

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea alleging the targeting of Bengali-speaking Muslims in the Assam government's eviction drive in a forest area near the Assam-Nagaland border.

According to the petitioners, they were illegally evicted from their houses in an eviction drive that they claimed was conducted in "hot haste". They argued they were either forced to live in the open or at the mercy of friends and relatives.

The petitioners have said while they are Indian citizens, the Assam government's "illegal actions" have been disguised under the premise that the land is covered under the provisions of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891.

Alleging that the state action seemed guided by a malafide targeting of families belonging to a specific community, the plea argued that others were not being targeted despite living on the same land and living there undisturbed.

The petitioners said they were handed notices stating their occupation of the land, which is alleged to fall in the Rengma Reserve Forest, had caused damage to the forest area. They said they have been continuously living in the area for a long time.

While the notices, issued on July 21, 2025, gave a time of seven days, the petitioners claimed they were barely given any time before the eviction drive.

"What followed was a selective demolition drive where only houses of Bengali-speaking Muslims were targeted. This was accompanied by widespread rumour mongering and tensions escalated, forcing many people to leave the area even where houses were yet to be demolished," the plea said.

It also said the vacated premises have since been repopulated by the state government, permitting neighbouring settlers to occupy the residences of the petitioners. Successive waves of such eviction drives have led to displacement of more than 50,000 people, the plea added.

The petitioners said they were largely engaged in betel nut farming and cultivation in the said area and the eviction came at a time when the crop was ready to be harvested, resulting in an immediate loss of livelihood. Some of the petitioners were also given trade licences by the state government to trade in betel nut produce.

"At the same time, the highest office of the state has also been reported to have made statements warning other residents to provide shelter to the petitioners and other evictees," the plea added.

It also stated that the Supreme Court has already paused similar eviction drives in the area through its order dated August 22, 2025. "The petitioners, however, already been evicted and displaced from their residences, without rehabilitation or recompense, have not been met with equitable treatment ensuring their dignity and concern for their livelihood," the plea further said.

- Ends