GUWAHATI: The BJP-led Assam government is contemplating to introduce a law to halt further transfer of land ownership from natives to non-natives with the objective of securing land still in possession of the indigenous people of the state.
BJP formed its first government in the state in 2016 riding its powerful pledge in the election to protect Assam’s ‘jati (identity), mati (land) and bheti (homeland)’ from “cultural invasion” by Bengali-speaking Muslims from Bangladesh. Protection of identity of the indigenous people of the state and protection of their culture is still the broad focus of BJP.
Cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while taking part in the All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union’s 20th Kendriya Swahid Divas Udjapon at Golokganj in Dhubri district on Wednesday appealed to the Koch Rajbongshi people not to sell off whatever land is with them.
While appealing to the Koch-Rajbongshi community, who are concentrated in western Assam, to stop selling their land, Sarma said the same phenomenon of natives selling their land to non-natives is on in other areas. “Our land is taken away forcibly or by deceit. In Barpeta, Nagaon, Morigaon regions (migrant Muslim majority areas), we are losing our land rights gradually,” he said. “When I say natives, I am not identifying them as Muslim or Hindu but I am appealing to all indigenous people not to sell their land. In the undivided Goalpara district, all natives have lost their land. We are thinking of a law… how to protect the land still with them,” Sarma said.
“I appeal, do not sell your land to anybody else. Whatever land is left with you keep it with you. Even if you have to sell for Rs 10,000 less, sell it to your own brothers or sisters or parents but not others,” Sarma said. He added, “It is not that if someone gets land we would feel bad. But this Chilarai’s land and if Koch-Rajbongshi people lose all their land and disappear, the glorious period of Nar Narayan and Bir Chilarai will be erased from the history of Assam. I appeal to you…whatever land is left with you, it should be protected.”
‘Don’t sell your land to outsiders’
Sarma said the indigenous people have been selling their land for several decades now for money to take care of sick members of their families. “But, now that responsibility of taking care of the wellbeing of your health lies with the government. Schemes such as Atal Amrit Abiyan and Ayushman Bharat are here now. These schemes will become better and more beneficial in next 2-3 years,” Sarma said.
However, before any such law is brought, the state government will need to officially define who is a native and who is not. The matter is being examined by the Centre following submission of recommendations by a committee set up by MHA to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord that seeks to protect the “cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage” of Assamese people.
At present, in areas administered under Sixth Schedule in the state — BTR, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao — the land ownership rights of only tribal people are protected.