Eviction turns deadly: Police gun down 19-year-old in Goalpara, 4 injured

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 17, 2025

A 19-year-old teenager was killed and four others injured—one critically—after police opened fire on a mob resisting re-eviction from the Paikan Reserve Forest in Assam’s Goalpara district on Thursday morning, six days after the police and district administration launched the state’s largest eviction drive.

The incident occurred at Ashudubi under Krishnai police station when a joint team of police and forest personnel arrived to dismantle makeshift huts erected by people previously evicted from the reserve on July 12.

The deceased has been identified as Sakowar Ali, son of Manowar Ali. Kusumuddin Ali, who sustained critical injuries, has been shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

At least 15 police and forest personnel, including Krishnai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Krishnakam Bordoloi, were also injured in the clash.

On July 12, over 1,080 families were evicted from Paikan Reserve Forest, and nearly 150 acres of encroached land were cleared. However, several evicted residents returned to the area and rebuilt makeshift shelters. On Thursday morning, when authorities attempted a second demolition, tensions erupted.

According to police, the mob began pelting stones, prompting blank firing. As the situation escalated, the crowd reportedly attacked with bamboo sticks, forcing security forces to open fire.

A senior police official stated, “We gave repeated warnings over several days. The mob became violent and attacked us despite blank rounds and lathi charge. We had to resort to firing.”

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and several student bodies condemned the firing. AIUDF general secretary Haji Rafiqul Islam blamed the forest ranger, alleging that he had previously threatened the evicted families.

“It’s a planned murder,” said Muslim Student Union of Assam (MSUA) president Jalal Uddin. “We demand rehabilitation before eviction and justice for the killing.”

Islam called for a judicial inquiry by a sitting Gauhati High Court judge and the arrest of the officials involved. He also criticised the early-morning operation, saying, “They came at 5 am when people were sleeping. It’s inhumane.”

The All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) also condemned the killing, blaming Goalpara Divisional Forest Officer Tejash Mariswamu and demanding immediate action.

Later in the day, miscreants set fire to Bidyapara ME School and a local Anganwadi Centre. Police arrested four individuals—Hasinur Ali (20), Abdur Rahim (42), Jahidul Islam (18), and Mahidur Ali (21)—in connection with the incident.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that those responsible for attacking the police would be brought to justice. Officials maintain the operation was necessary due to continued illegal occupation despite multiple warnings.