Concerns Arise Over Proposed Land Law Amendments in Assam

AJP Voices Concerns on Land Law Changes

The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has expressed apprehensions regarding the suggested changes to the state's land legislation. In response, the government has asserted that there is no intention to weaken these laws, emphasizing that the current initiative aims to bolster the land rights of indigenous and tribal populations through a framework that ensures conclusive titles.

These proposed changes are based on the recommendations from a commission led by Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma, which focuses on implementing Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, a move that has received the Assam government's approval. A Land Governance Commission has been established to review the need for amendments and revisions to existing Land and Revenue State Acts and Regulations, as well as to consider judicial decisions before making recommendations to the government.

There would be little objection if the goal is to modernize outdated colonial legal frameworks and adapt them to contemporary needs while promoting transparency, fairness, and safeguarding the land rights of indigenous and marginalized groups. The BK Sharma Committee has put forth crucial recommendations aimed at protecting the land ownership rights of indigenous communities in Assam.

These recommendations include the establishment of land tribunals at the district level to handle grievances related to land alienation in tribal areas, the identification of specific revenue circles where only 'Assamese individuals' can own land, and a structured program to issue land pattas to Assamese individuals who have occupied land for years without legal documentation. Furthermore, government land currently occupied by eligible Assamese individuals would be regularized.

The state government had pledged to implement 52 out of 67 recommendations concerning land rights, language, and cultural preservation. However, progress on these initiatives has been sluggish, raising doubts about the government's commitment.

As the execution of these recommendations lags, the transfer and fragmentation of indigenous and community-owned land by exploitative market forces continues unabated. Rising land prices, fueled by external investments and speculative purchases, are effectively displacing indigenous populations from their ancestral lands.

Wealthy outsiders are acquiring land in and around tribal regions, particularly near urban centers like Guwahati, Jorhat, and Tinsukia, as well as along national and state highways in rural areas. Reports indicate that land brokers and developers are employing intermediaries to bypass tribal land protections and 'purchase' land through proxies.

This situation has resulted in soaring land prices, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary tribal or indigenous families to acquire, maintain, or reclaim their land. This issue transcends mere economics; it has evolved into a cultural, environmental, and political crisis. If not addressed promptly, this silent crisis, which is pushing indigenous communities to the edge, could lead to catastrophic outcomes.