Displaced families are forced to live under the open sky amid scorching heat and heavy rains without adequate government support
GOALPARA — The lives of hundreds of Muslims in Assam’s Goalpara district have been shattered after a recent government-backed bulldozer campaign destroyed more than 700 homes in the Hasila Bill area. The action, widely seen as targeting the Muslim community under the pretext of removing illegal settlements, has left families homeless and vulnerable in extreme weather conditions. The community is struggling to survive with limited shelter and support, and tragically, a 60-year-old woman named Zaitoon Nisha recently died due to heat and illness, highlighting the severe neglect faced by these citizens.
Residents and activists have spoken out, accusing the BJP-led Himanta Biswa Sarma government of a deliberate campaign to marginalise Muslims. “The government has bulldozed the homes of people who have lived here for generations, treating them as if they are outsiders. But these are Indian citizens; their names are on the voter list. This is not just illegal but inhumane,” said Aninul Haque Chowdhury, a leader of the All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU).
According to witnesses and community leaders, bulldozers have flattened approximately 1,600 bighas of land in the Hasila Bill area, destroying homes primarily belonging to Muslims. Those affected have been forced into makeshift camps with plastic tents that offer little protection from the intense heat or the heavy monsoon rains. Despite the scale of this humanitarian crisis, government help has been minimal or non-existent.
Aninul Haque Chowdhury lamented, “These families have nowhere to go and no help coming from the authorities. The conditions are worsening day by day, and children are falling ill due to the harsh living environment.”
The death of Zaitoon Nisha has deeply shocked the community. She succumbed to heatstroke and illness, conditions made worse by the lack of shelter and basic amenities. Community members and rights groups have blamed this death on the failure of the administration to provide relief or make alternative arrangements for the displaced families.
“The death of Zaitoon Nisha is a direct result of the government’s negligence,” said Chowdhury. “If the authorities had acted with responsibility and humanity, she would still be alive.”
The government’s justification for the demolition has been that the homes belonged to illegal settlers, often labelled as Bangladeshis. However, locals insist these families are long-standing residents of Assam, with voter ID cards and official documents proving their citizenship.
“The people here are Indian Muslims who have lived here for decades,” explained a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “Our forefathers made this land their home. Now, we are treated like foreigners in our own country.”
The community has condemned the move as a targeted attack aimed at marginalising Muslims, stripping them of their homes and basic rights.
The All Assam Minority Students Union and other social organisations have demanded urgent government action. They call for the immediate provision of safe shelter, food, and medical care for the displaced families. There is also a strong demand for accountability from officials responsible for the demolition and the failure to protect vulnerable citizens.
“Unless the government steps in to provide help, more lives will be at risk,” warned Chowdhury. “We demand a full inquiry into the circumstances of Zaitoon Nisha’s death and punishment for those responsible.”
Fatima Begum, a mother of four, shared her heartbreaking experience: “We lost everything in a day. Our house, our belongings — all gone. Now, my children suffer in the heat and rain. We ask only for dignity and safety, but there is none.”
Local school teacher Imran Hussain added, “This is not just an attack on property; it is an attack on our identity and existence. We urge the authorities to listen and act before more damage is done.”
The unfolding crisis in Goalpara district highlights the treatment of Muslims in Assam. Families left homeless in extreme conditions face an uncertain future, and the tragic death of Zaitoon Nisha serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of these policies.
Human rights groups have condemned the bulldozer drive and urged the central and state governments to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion or community. The silence and inaction in the face of suffering only add to the growing fears and resentment among Muslims in Assam.
