A massive demolition drive took place in Kachutali village of Sonapur, Assam, which turned deadly on 12 September 2024. Kachutali, primarily inhabited by Bengali Muslims, is less than 20 km from Guwahati.

The eviction began on 9 September 2024, to clear 100 bighas of notified tribal land. Tensions escalated when the displaced villagers reoccupied the land on 12 September 2024. As officials resumed the demolition process, the protesters opposed it, leading to a clash between villagers and authorities. The police retaliated with open firing that resulted in the deaths of Haider Ali and Jubahir Ali. Thirty-three others were injured in the clash, including government and police officials.
  
Less than two weeks after the last incident, on 24 September 2024, the Kamrup metropolitan district of Assam resumed the eviction in Kachutali village. During the first phase of eviction, over 150 families were evicted, and about 237 structures were demolished. The second phase of eviction saw further demolition of about 250 homes.
 
Many of the residents of Kachutali, displaced by river erosion in their native Morigaon district, have resided in Kachutali for decades. They claim to have purchased the land but lack formal documents. The residents also emphasise that they possess necessary documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter ID cards. The villagers are often given derogatory labels like "Bangladeshis" and accused of practising "land jihad."
 
“Who will look after my kids? We could not cook for the past three days as our house lies in ruins. Are we not the people of Assam? Check our NRC, Aadhaar — if you think we are not from Assam, send us to Bangladesh,” a villager told the media.
 
The authorities justified the action by claiming that the village was situated within a tribal belt, where only certain "protected classes" are allowed to own land.
 
While Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the eviction, opposition parties, including the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Raijor Dal, condemned the police action. The All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) also slammed the government. “Why does the government not take action against those who sold this piece of land to the villagers, if it falls under tribal belts and blocks? How come the villagers have land deeds?” an AAMSU leader told the media.
 
Himanta also alleged that the Congress party had incited the protesters, stating, “It was a peaceful eviction drive in Sonapur, a tribal belt and block. The evicted people had left for their original homes in the Darrang and Morigaon districts, and we were tracking them. From (Thursday) morning, the Congress started provoking people against the eviction.”
 
Himanta has been a vocal proponent of evictions, declaring that the government intends to clear all illegal settlers. While the evictions have garnered support from local organisations like All Assam Tribal Sangha and Veer Lachit Sena, critics view the eviction drive as part of a broader campaign by the Assam government for targeting Bengali-origin Muslim minorities.
 
After the eviction, forty-eight villagers filed petitions with the Gauhati High Court on 20 September 2024, arguing that they held land titles. The court ordered a halt to the eviction of those petitioners until the district authorities reviewed their claims. Despite the HC order, the demolition of other homes in the area continued.
 
On 25 September 2024, forty-eight villagers of Assam filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court. The residents claimed that the demolitions violated the Supreme Court's directive dated September 17 staying all demolitions across the country until October 1. The petitioners argued that their right to housing/shelter, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, was being violated. They also claimed that the authorities did not provide any notice or formal communication regarding the eviction or demolition.
 
In its first hearing on 30 September 2024, the Supreme Court issued a [stay order ](
https:/assamtribune.com/assam/sc-stays-eviction-in-sonapurs-kosutuli-demands-report-from-assam-govt-within-3-weeks-1553192)on further evictions and demolition in Sonapur.

The eviction drive was part of a broader attempt to address encroachment issues in Assam, particularly in tribal belts or block areas. Notably, there are 47 Tribal Blocks and Tribal Belts in the state – 30 Tribal Blocks and 17 Tribal Belts. The government had notified these areas a few decades ago to safeguard the land rights of the protected class of the state.

The All Assam Tribal Sangha had previously sent an SOS to the government, demanding action against encroachments that had reportedly been ignored for years. Local leaders and tribal groups expressed frustration over the lack of action from authorities despite persistent complaints.

The incident sparked a renewed debate on land rights and the treatment of marginalized communities in Assam as the affected population, largely comprised Bengali Muslim communities.