India, Nov. 9 -- The Assam Forest Department on Sunday resumed a large-scale eviction drive in Goalpara district, with officials confirming that 588 illegally constructed houses are being demolished.

Divisional forest officer (DFO), Goalpara, Tejas Mariswami, told HT that the demolition began on Sunday morning after notices were served to all the affected families.

"Eviction notices were served to 588 families ahead of the operation, and many of them vacated their houses before we began. The process has remained peaceful so far, and adequate forces are deployed in the area," he said.

However, some locals protested against the demolitions and attempted to stop excavators from entering the area. Police later detained a few protesters, wh...