STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) has revealed that 7,742 bighas of xatra lands are under encroachment in the state. The ASM said this after the Cabinet formed a committee to study xatras. The committee will visit xatras, take stock of their encroached lands, and ascertain the identities of the encroachers.
Talking to The Sentinel, ASM general secretary Xatradhikar Kusum Kumar Mahanta said, "Our statistics say that the state has 1,242 xatras. We conducted a survey and found that 7,742 bighas of land of 29 xatras in the state are under encroachment. The last government made Borduwa Than in the Nagaon district and Patekibori Satra in the Morigaon district free from encroachment.
"The government needs to conduct eviction drives in all the 29 xatras. Xatras are the carriers of the Assamese culture. If xatras perish, the Assamese culture will be extinct. The government should take the ASM into confidence while surveying xatras. We will extend all possible help.
"According to our survey, 1,900 bighas each of Adi Elengi Satra in the Lakhimpur district and Kaljhar Satra of the Bajali district are under encroachment. These two xatras suffer the highest encroachment of lands. We request the government again to set up a separate Directorate for the protection, preservation and development of xatras and naamghars in the state."
According to the ASM, a few of the 29 xatras under encroachment and their encroached lands are – Ramraikuti Satra (32 bighas), Simalabari Satra (195 bighas), Bohori Satra (190 bighas), Jania Xatra (160 bighas), Dhuporguri Satra (182 bighas), Patbaosi Satra ( 81 bighas), Barpeta Satra (960 bighas), Bapupara Satra (110 bighas), Bishnupur Satra (161 bighas), Rongapani Satra (58 bighas), Chhamoria Satra (161 bighas) and Kobaikata Satra (462 bighas).
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