An eviction drive is set to resume in Merapani's 2 No. Negheri bil area, as senior officials visited the site on Thursday to assess the situation.

The visit was led by Special Chief Secretary of the Forest Department M.K. Yadav, who inspected the proposed eviction sites and reviewed the ground situation. His visit comes amid preparations by the Forest Department and the Golaghat district administration to restart the eviction process following directions from the Gauhati High Court.

During the inspection, a high-level team comprising Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Pubali Gohain, senior officials of the Forest Department, Additional Superintendent of Police Jon Das, and CRPF personnel assessed the area where eviction is likely to take place.

At present, around 59 families are still residing in the area, and the renewed eviction plan has created a sense of fear and uncertainty among them. Locals expressed concern as authorities intensified their preparations on the ground.

Officials said the area has long been under alleged illegal encroachment on forest land. Earlier eviction drives were carried out, but the process was halted after the affected families moved the Supreme Court, which led to a temporary stay on the operation.

Subsequently, the Forest Department issued fresh eviction notices on February 21 to 59 families in Negheri bil and 11 families in Uriamghat. Authorities have indicated that once necessary court directions are received, eviction operations may begin in the first part of June.