September 13, 2024: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued a startling statement on Friday regarding the ongoing eviction efforts in Sonapur. Sarma alleged that encroachers had attempted to incite a crisis similar to the situation in Bangladesh, citing provocative slogans and violent actions.
CM Sarma claimed that these encroachers had halted trains using lathis and sharp weapons and had orchestrated a plan to disrupt the region in a way never before seen in Assam's history. He expressed alarm over their tactics and intentions.
The Chief Minister also accused these "suspicious citizens" individuals of infiltrating tribal areas and manipulating local elections. CM Sarma alleged that many of the encroachers, who are listed on voter rolls and are not landless. He said that their vote influence had grown significantly, impacting local political decisions with a potential vote share of 20,000 to 25,000.
Further, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized certain political figures for obstructing the eviction process to protect these encroachers. He claimed that a network of brokers was providing these individuals with accommodations and promised that law enforcement would soon take action against those involved in this scheme.