Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has delivered an uncompromising message on illegal land occupation, strongly reinforcing the state government’s commitment to protecting indigenous lands and clearing all encroachments, including those involving large institutions like Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) in Sonapur.
While not referencing the University by name in his most recent public addresses, the CM’s ongoing rhetoric directly frames the government’s stance against the alleged land-grabbing scandal that has gripped the state since 2022.
The CM’s Unwavering Stance: ‘Every Inch Will Be Reclaimed’
Speaking at an event in Chaygaon, Kamrup district, where he handed over land title certificates under the Forest Rights Act, Chief Minister Sarma reiterated his zero-tolerance policy against all encroachers.
“It is our solemn pledge to ensure justice, dignity, and empowerment for every community… We have freed 193 square kilometers of forest land from encroachers since 2021 and will continue evicting illegal settlers. Every inch of Assam’s land will be freed from the encroachers.” — CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
This statement is seen as a direct commitment to act on the findings of the high-level Inquiry Committee constituted by the government to investigate the allegations that ADBU illegally occupied nearly 100 bighas of government and forest land in the Sonapur Revenue Circle.
Addressing the Root of the Sonapur Controversy
The CM has consistently highlighted the sensitive nature of areas like Sonapur, which fall under the Scheduled Tribal Belt and Block, and has taken strategic measures to secure them:
- Protecting Tribal Rights: Sarma stated that rampant encroachment in Kamrup and Goalpara districts had “deprived ethnic and tribal communities of their political and economic rights,” underscoring the government’s priority to restore land to its “true custodians.”
- Preventing Future Encroachment: In the Sonapur area—which has seen violent clashes during previous eviction drives—the CM has announced plans to establish a permanent Assam Police battalion camp on reclaimed land. This is seen as a strategic move to deter any future attempts at illegal occupation by powerful individuals or institutions.
- Threat to Brokers: Furthermore, the CM has warned that land brokers who facilitate illegal settlements in tribal belts will face the most stringent actions, including charges under the National Security Act (NSA).
The Don Bosco Case: Awaiting Final Action
The government’s stance means that if the committee’s report confirms the University’s encroachment on forest land and crucial elephant corridors—as alleged in a 2022 suicide note that triggered the probe—the government will likely proceed with forceful eviction and land recovery as part of its statewide anti-encroachment drive.
The outcome of the Inquiry Committee’s investigation remains the pivotal factor determining the immediate fate of the land occupied by the private university.
