The massive eviction drive launched by Forest Department in Deroi Reserve Forest under Mahmora LAC of Sivasagar district of Assam has been temporarily stopped. It is worth mentioning here that apart from illegal encroachment, the State Government had established 14 forest villages in the reserve forest. According to forest officials, out of the 4,776 hectares land of the Deroi Reserve Forest, over 3,500 hectares are under the clutches of illegal settlers.