Guwahati, June 27, 2025
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a scathing criticism against the Congress party, accusing it of ignoring the sentiments of indigenous communities for the sake of vote-bank politics. The statement comes amid the state government’s intensified efforts to reclaim large swathes of land belonging to Satras—the revered Vaishnavite monasteries that hold deep spiritual and cultural significance in Assam.
Addressing a meeting of the temporary Satra Aayog, the Chief Minister highlighted that thousands of bighas of Satra land have been illegally encroached upon across key districts. The figures are alarming:
- 7,137 bighas (2,355.21 acres) in Barpeta
- 2,583.79 bighas (852.66 acres) in Nagaon
- 2,757.39 bighas (909.94 acres) in Bajali
- 896.76 bighas (295.94 acres) in Lakhimpur
“We are on a mission to reclaim every inch of encroached Satra land,”
asserted CM Sarma, emphasizing the state’s commitment to preserving the sanctity and sustainability of these historic institutions.
Earlier this month, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a permanent Satra Aayog to oversee the protection, development, and welfare of Satras across Assam. This proposed body aims to institutionalize the work that began with the temporary Satra Aayog, constituted on November 24, 2021.
The temporary Aayog, chaired by AGP MLA Pradip Hazarika with BJP MLAs Mrinal Saikia and Rupak Sarma as members, visited 126 Satras and documented existing challenges. Their comprehensive report includes several key recommendations that will guide future policy actions.
The state government reiterated its resolve to protect Assam’s cultural heritage while ensuring the rights of its indigenous communities are not compromised.
