Assam redefines who qualifies as an original inhabitant in new heritage land law

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the law as "the most secular" measure brought by the state, saying it would apply equally to religious institutions of all communities. Sarma said families living in protected areas for three generations up to 2006 would be allowed to stay even without land pattas.Assam passes law limiting land sales near 250-year-old heritage sitesThe Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allows only “original inhabitants” and specified categories of people to buy or hold land within a protected 5-km radius of “iconic heritage institutions” that are at least 250 years old. The key feature of the amendment is that the Himanta Biswa Sarma government has redefined who qualifies as an “original inhabitant” in the protected zone around these “iconic heritage institutions.”While the original law was passed in 2024 but never came into force, the 2026 amendment defines the length of a generation and introduces a cut-off date of January 1, 2006, both of which were missing from the original law.Replying during the discussion on the Bill, Chief Minister Sarma described it as “the most secular” law brought in by the state. He said the provisions would apply to religious institutions of every community if they are 250 years old or older, and said families living in such areas for three generations up to 2006 would be allowed to remain even without a land patta.Sarma said one generation would be counted as 25 years and that this condition would apply irrespective of religion. “Any religious institution of 250 years old is protected under this law. Now, any family that has been living there for three generations till 2006 will be allowed to live even if it does not have a land patta,” he said. He added that people staying there without authorisation would face eviction. “Any other people living there will be evicted if they are staying in an unauthorised manner. Besides, no people from Hindu or Muslim or any other group will be able to purchase land within that protected area,” he said.The Bill says people who already hold land pattas in the protected areas will be allowed to stay, regardless of religion or social category. At the same time, no new person will be allowed to purchase land there unless he or she falls under the categories of “original inhabitants”, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, indigenous ethnic communities or disadvantaged groups. Under the Bill, an “original inhabitant” is a person who, along with the family, has been living in the protected area for the last three generations up to January 1, 2006, with one generation taken as 25 years. The legislation identifies Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi and Ahom as “indigenous ethnic community”. It classifies people from tea, adivasi and other communities notified by the government from time to time as “disadvantaged group”.The Bill also states that the District Commissioner may evict unauthorised occupants from the protected heritage area, except persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, indigenous ethnic community and disadvantaged groups. Sarma said those already living there with valid land documents would not be affected even if they do not fall within the permitted categories, as the law would not operate retrospectively.Calling the measure even-handed, Sarma said it would cover religious places of all communities that are 250 years old or more. “I feel this is the most secular law we have ever brought in. Let us create a new greater Assam by respecting each other. We are preventing both religious majorities and religious minorities from entering within 5km of a religious place of 250 years old,” he said.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 08:42 IST