Guwahati: Assam environment and forest minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Monday rebutted Bangladesh opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman’s criticism of the eviction drive at Lutumari Reserve Forest in Nagaon district.Mallabaruah said Rahman’s statement on the eviction was “incomplete and misleading”.Rahman, the leader of the opposition in the Bangladesh Parliament and Ameer-e-Jamaat of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, wrote on ‘X’: “We are deeply concerned about these incidents. The Indian govt is not only failing to protect the rights of Muslim minorities but is also undermining their rights in various ways. Such incidents run counter to humanity, the rule of law, and the values of a civilised society. Regardless of where such actions take place or who is responsible for them, these ill-activities must be condemned.”Calling Rahman’s remarks an “incomplete and misleading picture of the facts”, Mallabaruah said: “This was neither an arbitrary action nor one directed against any particular religion or community; but was undertaken to reclaim notified forest land in accordance with the law.”He said officials carried out the eviction on Oct 17 and 18 across 314 hectares of notified forest land in Lutumari Reserve Forest, affecting 563 families.The minister cited Supreme Court directions, including an order dated Feb 10, on procedures for evictions from notified forest areas in Assam. He said the court disposed of petitions filed by those affected on Sept 2.“Notices were served well in advance. We deliberately waited for the rainy and flood season to end, recognising the difficulties that displacement can cause to families. The occupants were given time to vacate their homes and remove their belongings. The operation was conducted peacefully, without reported resistance or use of force,” he added.Mallabaruah said protecting notified forest land was both a legal responsibility and an ecological necessity.“The reclaimed area will be restored with indigenous forest species to regenerate wildlife habitats, particularly for elephants, and help reduce human–elephant conflict. We respect every community and understand the human difficulties involved in such proceedings; but forest protection and the rule of law cannot be selectively interpreted through a religious lens,” he added.
