GAHC010286492025 undefined THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

Case No. : PIL/9/2026 BHUPEN SARMA S/O LATE DWARIKESWAR SARMA, RESIDENT OF VILLAGE- SARUBHAGIA, DISTRICT- NAGAON, ASSAM, PIN- 782136.

VERSUS THE UNION OF INDIA AND 4 ORS.

REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, SHASTRI BHAWAN, DR.

RAJENDRA PRASAD ROAD, NEW DELHI- 110001.

2:THE STATE OF ASSAM REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM ASSAM SECRETARIAT DISPUR GUWAHATI- 781006 ASSAM.

3:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF FOREST FORCE ASSAM ARANYA BHAWAN PANJABARI GUWAHATI KAMRUP (METRO)

ASSAM PIN- 781037

4:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER NAGAON FOREST DIVISION PASCHIM DHANIRAM PATHER NAGAON ASSAM PIN- 782436.

5:THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER NAGAON D.C. OFFICE COMPLEX B.M. ROAD AMOLAPATTY NAGAON ASSAM PIN- 782001 For the petitioner : Ms. D. Ghosh, Advocate For the respondents : Mr. P.N. Goswami, Addl. A.G., Assam Mr. I. Kalita, Advocate – B E F O R E –

HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. ASHUTOSH KUMAR HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN DEV CHOUDHURY

13-02-2026 (Ashutosh Kumar, C.J.)

We have heard Ms. D. Ghosh, learned Advocate for the petitioner the respondents.

The petitioner, a social worker, acting on behalf of the marginalised communities affected by the government-led eviction drives, prays for rehabilitation measures for those who have been evicted from non-

cadastral (unsurveyed) villages of Longjap, Ranipukhuri and Lutumari under the Lutumari Mukta Bonanchal area in Kampur Revenue Circle in the district of Nagaon, Assam.

It is contended that the persons evicted have lived there for around

35-45 years after displacement because of river erosion or landlessness. They had also been provided with government welfare schemes like ration cards under the National Food Security Act, 2013, access to Anganwadi Centres and schools. They had hitherto been provided with water under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Ms. Ghosh, learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that the eviction has been carried out by the Forest and Revenue departments by demolishing their homes, destroying the horticulture plantations but without any rehabilitation scheme, leaving them absolutely vulnerable.

A special concern has been shown for the elderly, children, pregnant women, lactating mothers and persons with disabilities.

respond to this petition by the next date.

Re-notify on 27.04.2026.

JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE

Comparing Assistant