Guwahati, Aug. 19 -- The Gauhati High Court has ordered families residing in Doyang and Nambor reserve forests of Assam's Golaghat district to vacate the land within seven days, while directing the state government to create a stronger mechanism to prevent future encroachments.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, in its order on Monday, said the families must vacate the forest land by Sunday. If they fail to comply, the state government has been authorised to carry out eviction proceedings.

The case stemmed from petitions filed by 74 individuals who challenged the eviction notices issued by the district administration. The petitioners argued that the notices violated provisions of the Assam L...