A video depicting bulldozer demolishing structures has been circulated, suggesting religious persecution of minorities in Goalpara Assam. However, D-Intent Data has found that these all structures were constructed on encroached government land. And removed after a Guwahati High Court order. It was not related to the persecution of any minority community in the state.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @TheMuslim786 wrote. “Location: Goalpara, Assam. Mosques, Dargah, Madrasa and houses of 2000 families were demolished declaring them illegal”.
Another propaganda account @chandnii__ also shared the video and wrote, Mosques, dargahs, madrasas and houses of 2000 Muslim families are being demolished calling them illegal – Goalpara, Assam #AllEyesOnIndianMuslims.
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @_inspiretrail_, @INDStoryS
The truth behind the claims from Goalpara Assam, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident and found that the administration in Goalpara has removed encroachments under the Guwahati High Court order.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a relevant keyword search. This led us to media reports regarding the video. According to the media reports(1, 2), around 2,000 “illegal settlers” from 450 families evicted from 55-60 hectares of forest land in Assam’s Goalpara district on Tuesday. The eviction took place in the Bandarmatha Reserve Forest, part of the Lakhipur Range, under a Guwahati High Court order to clear encroachments in the area. Hence, it has nothing to do with religious persecution.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the administration has removed encroachments from government land on the court order. Also, it has nothing to do with religious persecution.
Intent
Propagandists are circulating videos of anti-encroachment drives from Goalpara, Assam with misleading claims to defend illegal activities.
Conclusion
Claim– The administration demolished houses and other structures belonging to the Muslim community in Goalpara, Assam.
Fact– The administration in Goalpara, Assam removed encroachments from government land, after the Guwahati High Court order.
Related Article: Fact Check: An old video of a scuffle between two groups of Muslims in Assam circulated with distorted claims – D-Intent Data (dintentdata.com)
