Guwahati, June 8 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reiterated his government’s firm stance on addressing land encroachment, calling the issue “monumental in scope” and warning of a demographic shift that threatens the state’s social equilibrium.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Sarma provided updates on the state’s ongoing anti-encroachment drive, which he said has seen significant progress over the past four years. “We have launched a comprehensive campaign across all districts to reclaim government land, and this effort will continue,” he said, while acknowledging that achieving lasting change could take a decade or more.
Sarma expressed concern over what he described as a “politically motivated demographic transformation,” particularly in East Goalpara. He cited population shifts that have altered the region’s communal makeup, saying, “At one time, Hindus were the majority in Goalpara. Now, in places like Baghbar and Nadibhanga, Hindus are in the minority due to large-scale migration.”
The Chief Minister also pointed to the manipulation of voter registrations as a factor aggravating political instability. He stressed that unregulated migration and land seizures could endanger Assam’s social fabric. “If we don’t respect each other’s communities, and people believe they can just seize land, it will lead to unrest,” he cautioned.
Sarma advocated for people to remain in their native regions to maintain demographic balance and reduce communal tensions. “If Baghbar people stay in Baghbar, and Nalbari people in Nalbari, many issues would not arise,” he said.
He added that his government is in regular dialogue with minority leaders to promote mutual understanding. Describing land encroachment as a dangerous cycle involving land grabs, illegal housing, and voter identity shifts, Sarma called it a serious threat to Assam’s political and social stability.
