Assam makes police scrutiny mandatory for inter-religious land transfers, critics call move unconstitutional

Guwahati: The Assam cabinet has approved new standard operating procedures (SOPs) requiring police scrutiny for all land transfers between people of different religions, a decision that has sparked criticism from opposition leaders and academics who termed it unconstitutional.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that given the state’s sensitivities, such transfers must be handled with care. “All such transfer proposals will now come to the state government, which will scrutinize each of them through our special branch (of police),” he said.

According to Sarma, the branch will examine the source of funds for land purchases, whether they are reflected in the buyer’s tax returns, the potential impact on the locality’s social fabric, opposition from residents, and, in certain cases, implications for national security. Based on this assessment, the deputy commissioners of districts will decide whether to permit the transfer.

The CM added that the same procedure would apply to non-government organizations from outside Assam seeking land to establish institutions such as schools or hospitals. “All such issues will be examined carefully, and thereafter we will inform the deputy commissioners (of districts) on whether they should allow the transfer of land or not, and accordingly the DCs will take the final decision,” he said.

“All such proposals will be examined from the national security angle and only thereafter land sale permission will be given. However, for local NGOs who are known for their contributions, no such procedure will need to be followed,” Sarma informed.

Sarma alleged that several NGOs from Kerala, linked to a particular religion, had already purchased or attempted to purchase large tracts of land in districts including Sreebhumi, Barpeta, and parts of Barak Valley. “We have been trying to prevent such purchases,” he said, without naming the organizations .

The move has drawn sharp criticism. Congress spokesperson Aman Wadud described it as “unconstitutional” and questioned whether the CM had any data to prove that inter-religious land transactions threaten social harmony or national security.

Academic Mythri P, responding on social media, termed Sarma “genocidaire par excellence.”