Namghars Get Land, Foreigners Pushed Back, Terror Plot Foiled: Assam Cabinet Decisions

In a wide-ranging press briefing held on Friday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced several key decisions taken by the Assam cabinet aimed at regularising land ownership, securing indigenous community rights, tightening identity verification protocols, and reinforcing internal security.

From land allotments under Mission Basundhara to policy decisions on Aadhaar issuance and fresh elections for autonomous councils, the announcements reflect a sweeping administrative and political reset ahead of the year’s end.

Land Rights for Namghars, Temples, and Schools

In a significant move, the state government has approved the allotment of land patta (ownership rights) to various religious and community institutions.

• 942 Namghars, temples, women’s groups, and youth clubs across the state will now be granted land ownership under the Mission Basundhara initiative.

• An additional 1,977 educational institutions will also receive pattas, allowing them to regularise their holdings and protect long-standing community infrastructure.

The Chief Minister noted that these steps would bring decades-old establishments under legal recognition, ensuring stability and enabling access to government welfare schemes.

Zilla Parishad Reservations Through Lottery

The cabinet also passed a resolution to introduce a lottery system for determining reservation in leadership posts of Zilla Parishads.

• The positions of President and Vice President will now be reserved through draw of lots, including categories for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.

This method is aimed at enhancing fairness and transparency in local governance representation.

Morans and Motoks Council Elections by Year-End

In a major development for indigenous communities, elections for the Morans and Motoks Autonomous Councils will be held in November–December 2025, the Chief Minister confirmed.

Crucially, only members of the Moran and Motok communities will be eligible to vote in these elections. A separate voter list will be prepared to ensure the sanctity of the electoral process.

“These councils were created for community empowerment. We will ensure that their democratic processes remain exclusive to the intended beneficiaries,” Sarma said.

Pushback of Illegal Immigrants and Aadhaar Reforms

Highlighting the state's continuing crackdown on illegal immigration, CM Sarma revealed that 20 to 30 individuals are being pushed back daily from Assam’s border districts. On Thursday night alone, 20 Bangladeshi nationals were deported, he said.

To prevent undocumented foreigners from integrating into Indian identity databases, the government is introducing stricter Aadhaar protocols:

• Only the District Commissioner (DC) will now have the authority to issue Aadhaar cards to adult applicants, particularly in sensitive areas.

• This move aims to prevent illegal immigrants from acquiring Aadhaar cards through fraudulent means.

Additionally, the issuance of backdated birth certificates will now require DC-level approval, tightening the process to curb misuse. “Backdated birth certificates will no longer be handed out arbitrarily. This system was being exploited and we are shutting that door,” Sarma added.

Bokakhat Blast: Broader Terror Plot Unearthed

Addressing recent security concerns, the Chief Minister confirmed that several arrests have been made in connection with the Bokakhat blast, and a larger plot to carry out explosions in Guwahati, Golaghat, Lakhimpur, and Tezpur has been foiled.

• Three grenades and one pistol were recovered during the investigation.

• Among those arrested is a former ULFA militant and a suspected drug trafficker.

"While the Golaghat incident materialised, the others were averted thanks to prompt action. Investigations are ongoing to identify the masterminds behind the plan," Sarma said.

Clarification on APSC-Related Legal Matters

On the contentious issue of the APSC recruitment scam, CM Sarma stated that contrary to rumours, the Gauhati High Court has not ordered reinstatement of dismissed officers.

• For police personnel, only modifications in discharge orders have been permitted.

• In the case of Assam Police Service (APS) officers, the government may retain them for three months, but can dismiss them again thereafter if necessary.

He also hinted that the matter could move to the Supreme Court in the coming days. As for ACS, DTO, and Tax officers, the reinstatement order currently applies only to certain categories, pending further legal clarity.

Zero Tolerance on Child Marriage

The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s tough stance on child marriage. He warned that any elected panchayat member found involved in a child marriage case, based on a police complaint, will be jailed, regardless of their political affiliation.

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