The Commission for Review & Assessment of Problems of Sattra Lands in Assam (CRAPSLA) has written a letter to the Assam Accord Implementation Department, requesting the latter to ensure that land belonging to the various xatra institutions which was acquired by the State Government under the Ceiling Act, 1969, is restored to the respective xatras. As reported by his newspaper on Saturday, the Commission's request is among a few other measures that it has suggested to protect land belonging to the xatra institutions. It is important to note that the xatra institution is the heart and soul of Assamese identity. Each xatra is a centre of Assamese literature, art, culture, music and dance, an institution of higher learning and spirituality, and a repository of knowledge and wisdom. While Srimanta Sankardev had laid the foundations of the xatra institution, it was strengthened extremely well by his successors after his demise. The xatra institution has also played a very significant role in democratization of religion and society at the grass roots level in Assam. Thus, protecting the xatra institution is a bounden duty of the people of Assam, irrespective of what political ideology one subscribes to. Unfortunately, successive governments in Assam in the post-independence era have failed miserably to protect these national and nationalistic institutions of Assam. While the Congress had, after the demise of Bimala Prasad Chaliha, always remained busy protecting migrants from erstwhile East Bengal/Pakistan and present-day Bangladesh, the unique xatra institution is the second-most important victim of influx after the indigenous tribal communities of the state. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), during whose first term (1979-85) public discussions were first organized to protect xatra institutions from illegal migrants, unfortunately failed miserably to grasp or understand the issue. Had some practical steps been initiated during that time, the condition of the xatra institutions would not have reached this stage today. As has been reported, the Commission for Review & Assessment of Problems of Sattra Lands in Assam has also requested the Implementation of Assam Accord Department to prepare a proper database of various matters pertaining to all xatra institutions of Assam. But the most significant measure suggested by the Commission is that the department should ensure that no person who professes any other faith should be allowed to stay within a 100-metre radius of any xatra, asserting that only such a step can ensure proper conduct of xatra activities such as gayan-bayan, kirtan etc.