Guwahati, Sept. 10 -- The Gauhati High Court on September 7 came down heavily on the state authorities for demolishing houses in Assam's Muslim-majority Goalpara after residents challenged the 24-hour notice.

On September 7, the local authorities razed 73 houses of Muslim families for not converting agricultural land for residential use.

What "imminent danger" made the demolition a necessity, Justice Devashis Baruah questioned the authorities while hearing a petition filed by 21 residents against the state, Goalpara district commissioner and the circle officer of Matia revenue circle. The High Court said the civic action appeared to be "illegal" as the landholders were not given an adequate opportunity to be heard before their houses we...