Satra land in Barpeta district to be freed from encroachers

Barpeta: Barpeta Satra land and that of all other Satras (16th century Vaishnavite monasteries) in Barpeta district of Assam will be freed from illegal encroachment, District Deputy Commissioner Thaneswar Malakar said on Monday. As per the direction of the state government based on a Gauhati High Court order, the district administration will begin the eviction drive against encroachers in November and collect documents of the encroached land, Malakar said. In Barpeta district more than 2000 bighas of Satra land are under encroachment in Barpeta, Moinbori, Kaljhar, Jania, Bahari, Kanara, Mandia, Sundaridiya, Gomura and several other Satras, he said. The district administration has urged all encroachers to leave the occupied Satra land willingly else strict and necessary action will be taken to free the land.
Barpeta Satra Burha head,  Basistha Sarma has appreciated the district administration’s initiative and urged the government to make Mandia Bazar and Mandia Parghat Satras under Baghbar revenue circle free from encroachers. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the eviction process will continue till the 700 Satras across the state are free from illegal occupants. (PTI)