Assam has launched an intensive drive to remove encroachments, mostly by Bangladesh-origin Muslims, from lands belonging to Hindu religious institutions like mandirs and xatras (Vaishnavite monasteries).

On Sunday (6 June), state authorities freed 120 bighas of land belonging to an ancient Shiv mandir at Dhalpur village near Sipajhar in Darrang district that had been encroached on by Bangladesh-origin Muslims.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had promised during the campaign for the assembly elections to remove all encroachments on lands belonging to religious institutions and the government.

The state government had, in the past, too, removed hundreds of encroachers from government lands, including reserve forests.

A large number of illegal occupiers and squatters were removed from Kaziranga National Park a few years ago. It is no secret that almost all these squatters on government and other lands are illegal Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh or their descendants.

According to state government sources, about 180 bighas of land belonging to the Shiv mandir at Sipajhar had been illegally occupied by Bangladesh-origin Muslims.

The encroachers have also been given stern warnings against attempting to return and forcibly occupy lands belonging to the mandir.

District officials said that the encroachers have been told they would be arrested under stringent laws like attempting to disturb communal harmony and rioting if they ever return.

#Assam #HimantaBiswaSarma #HinduLands

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