Assam Mandates Police Scrutiny for Inter-Religion Land Transfers
The chief minister said the decision is another bold step by the Assam government to check the transfer of land from indigenous communities to illegal settlers
Guwahati: In a significant move, the Assam cabinet on Wednesday approved a special operating procedure (SOP) mandating police scrutiny before every inter-religion land transfer in the state.
Announcing this a day before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters, “In a sensitive state like Assam, inter-religion land transfer needs to be carefully monitored.”
He explained that as soon as a proposal for such a land transfer is processed, “the deputy commissioner will immediately send it to the Revenue Department of the state government. There will be a nodal officer in the Revenue Department. After the Revenue Department receives the proposal, the nodal officer will send it to the Special Branch of the Assam Police. The Special Branch will examine four things: first, whether there is any element of fraud, coercion, or illegal transfer; second, the source of money used to buy the land — whether it is white or black money; third, the effect on the social cohesion of the place; and fourth, whether the proposed land transfer will have any impact on national security.”
Asserting that the SOP includes a framework to ensure rigorous verification of inter-religion land transfers, the chief minister said the decision is another bold step by the Assam government to check the transfer of land from indigenous communities to illegal settlers.
He further said, “This will also be applicable to NGOs from outside the state. In recent days, we have found NGOs from places like Kerala buying land in Assam and holding events which could, in the future, be detrimental to national security. There is no need for any procedure for Assam-based NGOs, but those from outside — whether they seek to buy land for an educational institute, nursing college, or medical college — will have to go through the same procedure.”
The chief minister also informed that the state cabinet has approved the closure of the Assam Plantation Crops Development Corporation Ltd., along with a financial sanction of Rs. 600 lakh towards VRS/one-time settlement and closure costs.
