October 12, 2021
Cited article by Sanghamitra Baruah, Al Jazeera
HRRC's Response:
Over 1,000 families from the Dhalpur region were forcibly evicted by the Assam government, stating that the residents were on government land that is being cleared for farming. These evictions took place with less than two days' notice. The shanty town erected for those now displaced is wholly inadequate, with reports of severe sanitary concerns, leading many of the residents to avoid the provided toilets. There is no medical aid, drinking water, or amenities.
The evictions sparked protests by the villagers who were requesting more time to gather their belongings. Police used force in response, killing two, including a teenage boy, and injuring others. Afterward, houses were razed and burnt. These actions are the most recent in a history of increasing restrictions on the Bengali-speaking community and Muslims, and this is the fourth time the Dhalpur villagers have been evicted since the BJP came into power in India.
HRRC condemns the continuing discriminatory acts targeting the Dhalpur villagers and Muslims in India. The actions taken by the government are endemic of a history of increasing abuses that are subjecting civilians to unsafe conditions and increasing the probability of their death. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, should cease all evictions and discriminatory action against Muslims.