Nagaland govt orders heightened vigilance to prevent influx of illegal immigrants amid eviction drive in Assam

In view of the eviction drive in Assam, Nagaland government has directed all deputy commissioners (DCs) to maintain heightened vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent any potential influx of illegal immigrants within their respective jurisdiction.

In an advisory, Nokchasashi, joint commissioner (Hq) office of the commissioner Nagaland stated that in view of the eviction drive against the illegal immigrants undertaken by the government of Assam, there was apprehension/risk that some displaced individuals could attempt to cross into Nagaland.

The government has stated that a proactive approach was crucial for maintaining law & order and for safeguarding the demographic integrity of the state.


The Assam government has initiated a series of eviction drives. Notices were served to encroachers Uriamghat in Upper Assam. The administration has issued a seven-day eviction notice to individuals allegedly settling illegally along the Uriamghat border. Assam and Nagaland share an interstate border.

Several people upon receiving the notice have started vacating the area.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently stated that huge portions of forest lands were encroached by some leaders, and they engage others to cultivate and for other economic activities,” said Sarma while showing video of how some encroachers had started betel nut farming by destroying forests in Uriamghat, situated along the Assam–Nagaland border.

The Chief Minister claimed that over 3,000 bighas of forest land have been illegally occupied by encroachers who have cleared dense forest cover to establish expansive betel nut and betel leaf plantations. “Every person in Uriamghat has grabbed 300 to 500 bighas of forest land. It’s a massive land grab. Earlier, these forests were filled with sal and segun trees, but now they’ve been turned into plantations. Drone footage clearly shows the extent of encroachment,” Sarma said.

He alleged that many of the occupants are not local residents but have migrated from areas like Lahorighat, Dhing, Nagaon, Batadrawa, and Manipur, often under the pretext of erosion-induced displacement. “A proper legal process for eviction in Uriamghat will be followed, and it might take 4–5 months to complete the full eviction. The Rangma forest area, also along the border, is next in line.”

Sarma stated that the BJP led government in Assam in the last four years cleared over 1.19 lakh bighas (160 square kms) of land from illegal encroachment.