Rampur xatra is an extinct entity: Panel

'12 bighas of Patekibari Xatra in Morigaon under encroachment'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Encroachment has cast an ugly shadow over the Xatriya culture in the state. The encroachment of 12 bighas of land belonging to the Patekibari Xatra adjacent to the Xatra complex and the extinction of the Rampur Xatra bear testimony to this.

What is surprising is that a section of people still believes that Patekibari Xatra is the actual birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev and not the popular Borduwa.

Following approval from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Department formed a three-member commission with MLA Pradip Hazarika as its chairman. Two other MLAs – Mrinal Saikia and Rupak Sarmah – are commission members. The commission is to study xatra lands and their encroachment in the state and report it to the government in a year.

Talking to The Sentinel, commission member Rupak Sarmah said, "We have started our works. Unfortunately, 12 bighas of land belonging to Patekibari Xatra in the Morigaon district are under the occupation of encroachers. The encroached land is adjacent to the 11-bigha xatra complex. The local people told us that if the authorities could free the encroached land of the xatra, Patekibari would be a fully developed xatra in the state.

"Patekibari Xatra has the distinction of its name associated with the birth of Srimanta Sanklardev. Even now, a section of people takes the Patekibari Xatra as the birthplace of Srimanta Sanklardev, not the popular Borduwa.

"Encroachment has cast a dark shadow on the Rampur Xatra in the Nagaon district. Because of rampant encroachment, the xatra near the popular Bordowa Than is an extinct entity now. We went to the xatra but found no trace of it. It is a matter of concern. The encroachers are not new settlers.

"Recently, the government appealed to all xatras to give details of their landed property and encroachment status. We also appeal to the xatras to submit details of their landed property and encroachment status to the commission.

"The government has entrusted us to study the land status of xatras. We will see that all such issues get reflected in our report to the government."

Also Read:  Commission convinced of xatra land encroachment

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