Guwahati

The Gauhati High Court has instructed the Assam government to ensure access to drinking water, healthcare, sanitation facilities and subsidised food supplies for families displaced during eviction drives carried out in Goalpara district in June last year.

The court observed that the constitutional right to life encompasses the right to live with dignity, which includes access to clean water, sanitation and basic medical care.

The directions were issued by a single-judge bench of Justice Devashish Baruah while hearing a writ petition filed by 60 individuals affected by evictions conducted on June 16, 17 and 18, 2025, in the Hashila Beel wetland area.

According to the petition, around 566 families, including children, were forced to take shelter on a small stretch of patta land owned by others following the eviction. The petitioners claimed that for over eight months, the displaced families have been living in severe hardship without access to potable water, sanitation facilities, food or adequate healthcare.

Describing the situation as a “humanitarian crisis,” the petitioners sought multiple directions from the court, including the constitution of a judicial inquiry into the eviction exercise.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the court held that the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to dignity and essential services. The judge further noted that eligible persons are entitled to benefits under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

The court directed the authorities to immediately provide clean drinking water and basic medical services to the petitioners and other affected families. It also instructed officials to explore options for establishing temporary sanitation facilities for those currently residing on the compact patta land.

Additionally, the court ordered that fair price shops linked to the ration cards issued to the affected families must ensure sufficient availability of food grains as mandated under the 2013 Act and that rations be supplied upon presentation of valid cards.

The bench stressed that these directions must be complied with without delay and asked the respondent authorities to file affidavits detailing their actions by March 9.

“In particular, the district commissioner, Goalpara, must clarify whether the petitioners are being provided with the basic necessities that form part of the right to life,” the order stated.

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The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 11.