Guwahati, July 30 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday defended the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Assembly, saying the proposed legislation aims to protect the cultural and historical legacy of the state's centuries-old Vaishnavite satras by regulating land ownership around them.

Participating in the discussion on the bill, Sarma said the government has proposed creating a five-kilometre protective zone around select heritage institutions, including Barpeta Satra, Batadrava and Majuli. Within these notified areas, land transactions would be permitted only for local residents, he said.

The Chief Minister argued that the proposal has become necessary in view of demographic changes aro...