After Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he does not know whether his cabinet colleague Ashok Singhal owns land near Zubeen Kshetra, many people found it very strange. The comment has started a lot of discussion, even on social media. The Chief Minister said this while talking to the media on Monday. The matter has now become a talking point across the state, especially because the land in question falls inside a protected tribal belt area.
Over the past few days, the topic has drawn a lot of attention. Many people, especially from the opposition camp, have been asking how a minister can own land in a protected tribal belt. These belts are areas meant only for indigenous tribal communities so that their land and identity stay protected. Land in these belts cannot normally be bought by non-tribal people, and this rule has existed in Assam for decades to safeguard the rights of indigenous groups.
So, when the issue came up that Minister Ashok Singhal may have land near Zubeen Kshetra, it immediately raised questions. People expected the state government to give a clear answer. However, the Chief Minister’s remark has surprised many. “We have allocated land to Zubeen Kshetra, but who owns land on both sides of Zubeen Kshetra is not known to me. This is not a task of the Chief Minister,” Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters. 
This comment has led to more confusion rather than clearing doubts. Leaders from opposition parties, as well as many citizens, are now asking how the Chief Minister can be unaware of land ownership by one of his own ministers, especially in such a sensitive area. They say that if the government itself does not know who owns land in a tribal belt, then it creates serious concerns about the system meant to protect tribal land.
Some opposition leaders have openly questioned the government’s commitment to protecting tribal land. They point out that tribal belts and blocks are supposed to be kept safe for indigenous people, and that no one should be allowed to bypass this rule, no matter how powerful they are. They say that the government must clarify the situation and ensure that land meant for tribal people is not accessible to others.
At the same time, CM Sarma also made another important announcement. He said that the government will give 10 bighas of land for Zubeen Kshetra, which is being built as a tribute to popular singer Zubeen Garg. He also said that the same amount of land was allocated earlier for the cremation site of legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika. With this, the government wants to show that both icons are being honoured equally by the state.
