Two Muslims killed during forest eviction drive in Goalpara, Assam

Two Muslims were killed and several were injured in Assam’s Goalpara district after police opened fire during clashes with locals at the Paikan Reserve Forest on Wednesday, July 17.

The deceased have been identified as Shakuar Hussain and Kutubuddin Sheikh.

The violence erupted after forest and police officials attempted to evict residents allegedly living illegally on forest land. According to the police, the firing was in self-defence after members of



the eviction team were attacked with stones and sticks.

Videos of residents pelting stones, chasing officials, and vandalising a bulldozer brought in for the operation. In response, security personnel pushed them back and tensions spiralled.

Reacting to the latest violence, CM Sarma reiterated the government’s position, stating that encroachments on forest and government land would not be tolerated. “No one has the right to illegally occupy forest land.