Dibrugarh: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of tribal autonomous councils and ethnic organisations to discuss long-standing land issues affecting indigenous communities in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts.The meeting was held at the chief minister’s secretariat in Dibrugarh and attended by education minister Ranoj Pegu, revenue minister Keshab Mahanta, water resources minister Sushanta Borgohain, chief executive members of the Mising, Sonowal Kachari, Bodo Kachari and Deori autonomous councils, representatives of tribal organisations, district commissioners and senior officials of the revenue and forest departments.The discussions focused on securing land rights for eligible tribal families and resolving pending cases related to land settlement, ownership and possession. The implementation of Mission Basundhara, including the review of applications left unsettled under its second and third phases, was a key issue.The chief minister directed officials to take steps towards resolving a majority of the issues concerning Mission Basundhara, waterbody and wetland land classifications, Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands, and forest areas.The meeting also examined issues relating to the non-issuance of land pattas, land surveys and mutation, boundary demarcation, encroachment, government land, proposed reserved forests and bird sanctuaries, as well as Debottar properties, Lakheraj land and Jolduba or waterlogged land.The proposed allotment of land measuring up to 50 bighas to eligible tribal families was another key issue discussed. Officials were asked to examine cases that remained unresolved under Mission Basundhara 2.0 and 3.0 for possible resolution under Mission Basundhara 4.0.The meeting assumes significance for tribal communities that have been seeking legal recognition of land occupied by their families for generations. The representatives highlighted difficulties arising from pending land settlement applications, disputes over land classification and the absence of ownership documents.The Central Committee of the Takam Mising Porin Kabang (TMPK) in a statement following the meeting expressed hope that the government would take prompt and effective measures to address the issues raised by the Mising community.The organisation said it expected the discussions to pave the way for a lasting solution to the community’s land-related problems and ensure rightful recognition of indigenous people’s land rights.The meeting was held during Sarma’s two-day visit to Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
