Continue drives to free xatra lands from encroachers: Asom Sattra Mahasabha

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government freed the lands of only four xatras from encroachers in the past six years. The Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) has urged the government to free the remaining xatra lands in the state from encroachers.

The ASM held its central executive meeting at Sri Sri Narayan Das Thakur Ata Xatra at Rangapani in the Bongaigaon district yesterday. Around 100 delegates from different districts attended the meeting. The meeting discussed various issues besides encroachment of xatra lands in the state.

Talking to The Sentinel today, ASM secretary general Kusum Kumar Mahanta said, "The ASM central committee discussed various issues besides the encroached xatra lands. We have seen that the State government freed 140 bighas of Borduwa Than, 55 bighas of Patekibori Xatra in Morigaon, six bighas of Dakshinpat Xatra in Guwahati and 40 bighas of Barpeta Xatra from encroachers. According to our assessment, around 10,000 bighas of xatra lands are under encroachment in the state. The government needs to continue its eviction drive to free xatra lands from encroachers. The greater Assamese culture will survive only if the xatras of the state survive."

The xatradhikar said, "Dakshinpat Xatra of Majuli is weaving a Brindavani Bastra. The ASM central executive meeting opposed it to keep Brindavani Bastra weaved by Mahapurush a unique piece. We will meet the Chief Minister on various issues, including the Brindavani Bastra."

Meanwhile, the ASM central executive meeting elected Xatradhikar Jitendra Nath Pradhani as its president, Haridev Goswami as working president and Xatradhikar Kusum Kumar Mahanta as secretary general unopposed.

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