Guwahati, Jul 29 (PTI) The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed a Bill allowing “original inhabitants” and certain groups of people to purchase or possess land within a 5km protected radius of “iconic heritage institutions” that are 250 years old or more.
During a discussion on the passage of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that it was the “most secular” law enacted in the state.
“Any religious institution of 250 years old is protected under this law. Now, any family that has been living there for three generations till 2006 will be allowed to live even if it does not have a land patta,” Sarma said.
A generation is considered to be of 25 years, and it is irrespective of religion, Sarma said.
“Any other people living there will be evicted if they are staying in an unauthorised manner. Besides, no people from Hindu or Muslim or any other group will be able to purchase land within that protected area,” he added.
The Bill states that those who already possess land pattas in the protected areas, irrespective of their religion or social category, will be allowed to stay.
However, no new person will be allowed to purchase land if he or she does not belong to the category of “original inhabitants”, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, indigenous ethnic communities and disadvantaged groups.
According to the Bill, ‘original inhabitant’ is defined as a person who has been living in that protected area along with his family for the last three generations up to January 1, 2006, and one generation has been taken as 25 years.
While Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi and Ahom have been termed as ‘indigenous ethnic community’; people belonging to tea, adivasi and other communities notified by the government from time to time have been called as ‘disadvantaged group’.
“…the District Commissioner of the district, may evict the unauthorised occupants from the territory of the protected heritage area, other than the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, indigenous ethnic community and disadvantaged groups,” the Bill said.
Sarma said the provisions would apply to religious places of all communities if they are 250 years old or more. He added that those already living there with valid land documents would not be affected, even if they do not fall under the permitted categories, as the law would not have retrospective effect.
“I feel this is the most secular law we have ever brought in. Let us create a new greater Assam by respecting each other. We are preventing both religious majorities and religious minorities from entering within 5km of a religious place of 250 years old,” he added. PTI TR TR MNB
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