Assam’s BJP-led government deserves praise for imposing restrictions on the transaction of land in three regions—Barpeta town, within a five-kilometre radius of Batradava Thaan, and Majuli. In September 2024, the government ordered a complete freeze on land sale permissions and mutation processes in these three areas. The objective was to protect Assam’s precious land from the clutches of land-hungry immigrants of East Bengal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh origin. This measure has caused some problems for the indigenous communities living in those areas, because of which certain relaxations were ordered a few days ago. Accordingly, three relaxations have been allowed. This includes (i) (i) mutation by inheritance, which is now permitted without restriction in the specified areas; (ii) mutation by registered deed, which will be allowed if both the buyer and the seller are ‘original inhabitants’ of the area concerned; and (iii) land sale permissions, which will be granted where both parties involved in the transaction are original inhabitants. As reported, these revised guidelines have come into immediate effect and are aimed at balancing the need for protecting sensitive zones with the rights of long-standing residents. It is a well-accepted fact that large tracts of land belonging to the different Xatra institutions have been systematically encroached upon by people of doubtful citizenship status. Reports suggest that the illegal migrants have deliberately targeted Xatra land with the objective of hitting directly at the heart of Assamese culture and faith. Volumes have been written about how a conspiracy has been at work to grab land in a systematic manner in Assam with the objective of squeezing the indigenous communities. The Supreme Court of India had, in its historic order dismissing the notorious IMDT Act dated July 13, 2005, clearly analysed how Assam has been facing a silent demographic invasion. The apex court has, time and again, also acknowledged the concerns about the changing demographic composition of Assam, including the potential for the original inhabitants to become a minority in certain areas. It is in this context that the issue of protecting land from the clutches of illegal migrants must be prominently discussed so that the indigenous people are repeatedly reminded of the threat posed by the illegal migrants. It is also imperative that the government continue to evict encroachers from government and public land—be it reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, wetlands, riverbeds, tribal belts and blocks, religious institutions including the Xatras, and so on. Land in Assam, after all, is not only precious but also sacrosanct and has to be protected at any cost.