Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Announces Sweeping Legislative Measures: Life Imprisonment For Love Jihad, Domicile Policy, And Land Protection Laws

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on 4 August 2024 that his government will introduce a stringent law against Love Jihad, with lifetime imprisonment as the punishment. Speaking at a BJP state executive meeting in Guwahati, he also revealed plans for a domicile policy restricting government jobs to those born in Assam and imposing restrictions on land sales to Muslims.

Addressing the audience at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, CM Sarma stated, “We will bring a new law in the next few days to convert the punishment for love jihad to life imprisonment,” receiving applause from the crowd.

He further announced a new law to protect land owned by Indigenous people in Assam. This law will require the Chief Minister’s permission for inter-religious land sales, emphasising that a Muslim wishing to buy land from a Hindu or vice versa will need the CM’s approval. “The land transfer can happen only after permission from the CM,” he stressed.

In areas of the undivided Goalpara district, a special provision will be enacted to prevent land sales to people from a specific community. This will aim to protect the land owned by Indigenous people, who have become a minority in these regions.

CM Sarma also revealed plans for a law to safeguard the land rights of tribal communities. This law will create micro-tribal belts and blocks in areas inhabited by tribals and other backward communities.

Fulfilling an election promise, CM Sarma announced a domicile law reserving government jobs for those born in Assam. He explained that this move addresses the state’s changing demography, describing it as a “huge concern” and a “matter of life and death.” He assured that the new domicile policy would be implemented within the next two months.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a law to protect land owned by religiously significant sites in Barpeta, Bordowa, and Majuli. Only residents can purchase land in these areas, and people from other parts of Assam are even restricted from settling there. He mentioned that,re locations could be added to this provision based on public suggestions, mo.

“We can’t push anyone to Bangladesh, but we will take every step within our power to protect our future,” CM Sarma concluded.

 

(With inputs from OpIndia)

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