Dispur to finally go for a joint survey of xattra lands

Dispur to finally go for a joint survey of xattra lands

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A joint survey of xattra lands in Assam will be finally undertaken by the State government with the Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM), informed ASM general secretary and Xattradhikar Kusum Kumar Mahanta on Thursday.

The ASM is a registered socio-cultural organization that serves as the umbrella organization for the xattras of Assam. It aims at preserving and propagating the religious and socio-cultural teachings of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva.

Talking to The Sentinel, Xattradhikar Kusum Kumar Mahanta said, "This has been a long-pending demand of the Mahasabha. Besides land, the survey must include lands under encroachments and also xattra property. We had moved the State government several times; but no concrete steps were initiated. On Wednesday, State Archaeology Minister Keshab Mahanta called a meeting on the proposed 'Assam Heritage Preservation Bill' at the Janata Bhawan in Dispur. We again raised the need for this joint survey. He assured us that all the xattras within the State will be protected."

The ASM general secretary further said, "We also informed the Minister that a proper survey requires not just the Deputy Commissioners but the main stakeholder – the respective xattra authorities. He too agreed to our proposal at the meeting where officials of the Revenue and Archaeology departments were present as well."

Stating that "the ASM will now look forward for the survey at the earliest", Xattradhikar Mahanta added, "We'll wait for a few months; but if the government fails to come up with the joint survey, we'll again pressurise the authorities concerned."

Dwelling on the proposed Bill, the Xattradhikar said, "We welcome this move to give protection not only to the xattras but also all the other heritage sites in the State. As requested by the government, we'll submit our written proposals."

Following the Chief Minister's direction, the State Archaeology department is drafting the Bill. The purview of this proposed legislation will include the following: Notified ancient monuments under the Archaeology Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); Any other monuments that have not yet been notified; xattras; temples and other places of worship; as well as heritage properties including coins, copper plaques (tamrapatra), and 'sanchipat' manuscripts prepared from the bark of Agar tree among others.

When asked about the total areas of xattra land under encroachment, Xattradhikar Mahanta said, "According to my rough survey, while there are 1,242 xatras in Assam around 6,550 bighas of xattra lands are under illegal occupation across the State."

In February 2019, the State Assembly was informed that about 231 bigha and 4 katha of Xattra land are under illegal occupation across Assam.

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