Guwahati, July 9 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended his government's ongoing eviction drives, asserting that serving eviction notices marks "the most humane" phase of the process. He warned that authorities would use machinery to clear encroachments if people ignored such notices.

While inaugurating the newly constructed BJP district office in Chirang on Wednesday (July 9), Sarma addressed reporters and outlined both political strategy and the government's stance on contentious evictions in the Bilasipara-Chapar region of Dhubri district.

"Ninety percent of the local population supported the eviction," he said. "Only 10 percent opposed it, and we carried out the operation peacefully."

Sarma responded to criticism from...