Encroachments on xatra & heritage lands: Detailed reports from DCs & SDOs sought

GUWAHATI: In a move to "to get a clear picture for subsequent action as per law", the Assam government has instructed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and the Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) – SDOs (C) to carry out detailed surveys of all lands encroached across Assam. It specifically mentions the xattras and archaeological/heritage among others.

However, this order exempts the three hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao as well the four Bodoland Territorial Administrative districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Udalguri, and Baksa.

The move follows the recent directive of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to the Revenue & Disaster Management Department for carrying out a survey of encroachments on government lands in Assam.

The latest order issued by the Commissioner & Secretary of the Department has directed the DCs and SDOs (C) to "carry out a detailed survey on encroachments upon all types of government lands including VGRs (Village Grazing Reserves)/PGRs (Professional Grazing Reserves)/wet lands etc., and also on lands belonging to the xatras and other such religious and charitable institutions, archaeological/heritage sites etc."

The VGRs and PGRs are especially identified government land reserved for the grazing of cattle.

Besides the areas under encroachment, the order also sought the 'nature of encroachment' and 'the number of encroachers'. Moreover, the order directed the DCs and SDOs (C) to also mention in their reports as to whether the "Encroachers are indigenous landless persons with no land at all", "Encroachers are indigenous landless persons with some lands but not less than eight bighas", and also mention as to whether the encroachers are indigenous persons or others.

The State government has been issuing instructions and detailed guidelines from time to time regarding the removal of unauthorized encroachments from government lands. 'The Land Policy-2019' also reiterates similar action regarding such illegal encroachments. The government also enacted the 'Assam Land and Revenue (Amendment) Act-2019' empowering the DCs to eject unauthorized encroachers from lands belonging to the xatras and other such religious and charitable institutions.

ALSO WATCH: GET SET GLOBAL: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO STUDY IN THE UK