The Gauhati High Court (GHC) has ordered several deputy commissioners (DCs) and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) principal secretary to evict non-tribal encroachers living in the tribal belts/blocks of the state.

Passing the judgement, the two-bench judge of GHC comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua ordered that the eviction process has to be carried out within February 3, 2020.

The order has been served to the DCs of Bongaigaon, Kamrup (M), Morigaon, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia, besides the BTC Principal Secretary who has four districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri – under him.

The GHC also warned of strict actions against the officials if appropriate steps are not taken to give effect to the order.

The order states that the tribal areas have to be freed from all encroachments by non-tribal people or people not eligible for possessing land in such areas.