Assam Government To Shield Land Rights of Indigenous People, Mulls Legislation

GUWAHATI: Taking note of the severe threat faced by the indigenous people over their land, the Assam government is considering the possibilities of bringing in an Act to protect their rights over land — both agricultural and residential. The move aims at prohibiting the non-indigenous Indians from procuring such property in the non-tribal areas.

Sources informed that the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has taken keen interest in this regard. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Office has already asked the Revenue department to find out the feasibility of such an action. The process is likely to take some time as it involves legal aspects. Moreover, the Revenue department personnel will also have to consult experts versed with the relevant clauses of the Constitution of India.

As of now there is no such legislation in place in Assam. Hence, any Indian (non-indigenous) can buy land (other than those in the tribal locales) across the State. Of late, it has been noticed that many such non-indigenous Indian people have bought acres of land especially on both sides of the National Highways. The same has been the case with respect to many agricultural lands particularly in the rural areas. They take advantage of the typical nature of many local and indigenous people to sell off portions of their inherited plots in lieu of hard cash. The roles of middlemen in carrying out such land deals in favour of the non-indigenous Indians have also surfaced.

Conscious circles opine that if the State government can bring in such a legislation, a lot can be achieved in shielding the rights of the indigenous people particularly with respect to land in Assam.

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