Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Assam passes Bill on land ownership near heritage sites
The Assam Assembly has passed a new law that allows certain groups, like original inhabitants and indigenous communities, to own land near important religious and heritage sites that are at least 250 years old.
These sites have a protected area of 5 kilometers around them.
The law says that people who have lived there for three generations (which is 75 years) up to 2006 can stay, even if they don't have official land documents.
However, new people who are not part of these groups cannot buy land in these protected areas.
The Chief Minister says this law is very fair because it applies to all religions.
But some people might disagree and think it could cause problems for certain communities.
The Assam Assembly passed a Bill allowing certain groups to purchase or possess land within a 5km protected radius of iconic heritage institutions that are 250 years old or more.
Original inhabitants and certain groups, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, indigenous ethnic communities, and disadvantaged groups, are allowed to live and own land in these protected areas.
A generation is considered to be 25 years, and original inhabitants are defined as those who have lived in the protected area for three generations up to January 1, 2006.
The Bill allows those who already possess land pattas in the protected areas to stay, regardless of their religion or social category.
The Chief Minister claims the Bill is the most secular law enacted in Assam, as it applies to religious places of all communities and prevents both religious majorities and minorities from entering within 5km of a religious place of 250 years old.
- Who
- Assam Assembly, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
- What
- Passed a Bill allowing certain groups to purchase or possess land within a 5km protected radius of iconic heritage institutions
- When
- July 29
- Where
- Assam, India
- Why
- To protect religious institutions and original inhabitants, and to prevent unauthorized land ownership
Supporters of the Bill
Critics of the Bill
Secular Nature of the Bill
Supporters of the Bill
The Bill is considered the most secular law enacted in Assam, as it applies to religious places of all communities and prevents both religious majorities and minorities from entering within 5km of a religious place of 250 years old.
Critics of the Bill
Critics argue that the Bill may disproportionately affect certain communities and could lead to evictions, raising concerns about its secular nature.
Protection of Original Inhabitants
Supporters of the Bill
The Bill protects original inhabitants and certain groups, allowing them to purchase or possess land within a 5km protected radius of iconic heritage institutions.
Critics of the Bill
Critics contend that the definition of 'original inhabitants' and the criteria for protection may be exclusionary and could lead to disputes over land ownership.
- Bill Name
- Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Protected Area Radius
- 5km
- Age of Heritage Institutions
- 250 years or more
- Definition of a Generation
- 25 years
- Original Inhabitant Criteria
- Living in the protected area for three generations up to January 1, 2006
- Indigenous Ethnic Communities
- Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Ahom
- Disadvantaged Groups
- Tea, Adivasi, and other communities notified by the government