Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that encroachment on more than 638 hectares of land in three districts has been cleared in eviction drives over the past few days.
He asserted that the government would work to secure the interests of the state. The statement came in the context of the eviction drive.
Separately, more than a hundred people from all walks of life gathered in front of the Assam secretariat here on Tuesday to form a human chain, pressing for punishment of those responsible for singer Zubeen Garg's death in Singapore last year. People from various fields joined the demonstration.
The police, however, prevented them from holding a demonstration, according to reports. The campaign seeking justice in Garg's death has continued for several months.
The BJP government in Assam has carried out several eviction drives in recent years. These drives have triggered controversy in the state from time to time.
Dussehra was celebrated at various places across the state. The Chief Minister greeted the people of the state on the occasion.
The eviction drive has been a recurring flashpoint in Assam, with the government maintaining that such drives follow due legal process. Sarma said the government would keep working to secure the state's interests.
Separately, the campaign seeking justice in singer Zubeen Garg's death has run for months. Demonstrators have demanded a thorough probe into his death in Singapore.
The government has carried out several such drives in recent years, and they have triggered controversy. Officials say the drives follow due legal process. Dussehra was celebrated across the state, with the Chief Minister greeting people on the occasion.