'Sensitive state': Inter-faith land transfers in Assam to be probed, says CM Himanta; lists SOP

NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state government will scrutinise applications for land transfer between persons of different faiths.According to the SOP, the Special Branch of the Assam Police will examine whether the transfer of land involves any fraudulent or illegal act, the source of funding of the buyers, impact on the social fabric of the locality where the land exists, and also the issue of national security, the CM said at a media briefing after the Cabinet meeting, reported news agency PTI.''If the proposal is received from buyers and sellers of the same religion, the SOP will not be applicable to them. But in the case of those from different religions, all these factors will be strictly examined,'' Sarma said.The same SOP will also be applicable to NGOs from outside planning to buy land in the state for setting up educational and healthcare institutions, he said.''In a sensitive state like Assam, the issue of land transfer needs to be handled very carefully,'' he said. Apart from this, earlier, CM Sarma stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam. The PM will visit the northeastern state on August 13.Sarma, while addressing a press conference held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a bio refinery at Numaligarh, which will convert bamboo to 2G ethanol. The plant has been established at a cost of Rs 4200 crore. The Prime Minister will also take part in a meeting at Numaligarh."CM Sarma said that at Mangaldoi, he will lay the foundation stone for several key infrastructure projects. He said, "Thereafter, he will go to Mangaldoi in Darrang district and he will lay the foundation stone for the ring road of Guwahati, a new bridge over the river Brahmaputra connecting Kurua and Narengi, and he will also lay the foundation stone for the Darrang Medical College."Following these engagements, the Prime Minister will return to Guwahati to attend the inaugural ceremony of the year-long centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, organised by the Assam government.