Assam Tightens Grip on Inter-Religious Land Transfers with New SOP

The Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has rolled out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on August 27 to regulate land transfers between individuals of different religions, aiming to safeguard social cohesion and national security in the state. The move, described as a critical step to address sensitivities in Assam’s diverse landscape, introduces a stringent verification process for inter-religious land deals while exempting transactions within the same religious communities.

Under the new SOP, any proposal for inter-religious land transfer—such as between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, or other faiths—must first be submitted to the Circle Officer for preliminary checks. The proposal then moves to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the respective district, who forwards it to the Revenue Department. A designated nodal officer in the department reviews the application before passing it to the Special Branch of the Assam Police for an in-depth investigation. The Special Branch examines four key aspects: the validity of land ownership to detect fraud or coercion, the source of funds to rule out illicit financing, the potential impact on the local social fabric, and any national security risks. The final decision rests with the DC, who approves or rejects the proposal based on the police report.

Chief Minister Sarma, addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, emphasized the need for caution in a “sensitive state like Assam.” He stated, “All inter-religious land transfers will come under government scrutiny. We will assess the buyer’s funding sources, the societal impact, and any security threats before the District Commissioner makes the final call.” The SOP also applies to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from outside Assam seeking to purchase land for purposes like educational or healthcare institutions. Sarma highlighted concerns about NGOs, particularly from Kerala, acquiring land in areas like Barak Valley, Karimganj, and Barpeta, citing potential national security risks. Local NGOs, however, are exempt from this process.

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The policy builds on earlier discussions in the state’s 2025 budget, where Finance Minister Ajanta Neog underscored the “sensitivities involved in land transfer matters” and proposed state government approval for such transactions. The SOP aims to curb unauthorized land transfers, particularly to prevent the loss of indigenous lands to non-residents or illegal settlers, a long-standing issue in Assam. Pending cases, some stalled for over six months, are expected to be resolved swiftly with the new framework in place.

This move has sparked debate, with supporters praising it as a protective measure for Assam’s indigenous communities, while critics argue it may complicate legitimate transactions. The government, however, maintains that the SOP ensures transparency and security without hindering intra-religious land deals.

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