Violence Erupts During Assam Eviction Drive in Paikan; One Dead, Another Injured

On Thursday, a government-backed eviction drive at Paikan in Assam’s Goalpara district turned violent, resulting in police firing that left one person dead and another seriously injured. The incident has triggered a major political storm in the state, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Congress party trading serious allegations.

According to police reports, the eviction was part of an ongoing effort by the Assam government to clear encroachments on government or protected lands. During the operation at Paikan, a section of the crowd allegedly turned violent and attacked police personnel. In response, the police opened fire to disperse the mob. One individual was killed, and another sustained critical injuries. Authorities confirmed the casualties and stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated to verify the identities and roles of those involved in the violence.

Reacting to the incident, the BJP Assam Pradesh released a strong statement accusing fundamentalist forces of orchestrating the violence. The party linked the clash to the recent visit of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to Assam. According to BJP, the visit politically motivated certain groups, who then carried out a premeditated attack on police forces during the eviction drive. The BJP also circulated video clips allegedly showing an aggressive mob shouting slogans like “Gari Bhang… gari bhang…” and footage of police carrying an injured person from the scene.

Bhubon Pegu, a senior BJP leader, echoed the party’s stance, directly accusing Congress of inciting the violence. He claimed that the high-profile Congress visit encouraged extremist elements to challenge state authority, resulting in the deadly confrontation. Pegu criticized opposition attempts to blame the Assam Police, calling such rhetoric irresponsible and harmful. He demanded that those responsible be arrested immediately and held accountable for the violence.

The Congress party has not yet issued an official statement in response to either the eviction incident or the BJP’s accusations. However, opposition leaders across the state have raised concerns over the timing and execution of eviction drives in sensitive areas like Paikan. They argue that such operations often target marginalized communities and lack proper rehabilitation measures, thereby increasing the risk of unrest.

The situation in Paikan remains tense as authorities continue to monitor developments closely. Additional security measures have been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent further escalation. The state government has pledged a full investigation into the matter, while political observers warn that the incident could deepen existing divides and fuel further controversy in Assam’s already volatile political landscape.

Overall, the Paikan eviction tragedy reflects the complexity of land rights, law enforcement, and political rivalry in Assam. With mounting scrutiny and rising tensions, the fallout from this incident is likely to shape political discourse in the state for some time to come.