Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Assam on Saturday which is his first in the run-up to the state assembly elections likely in April. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Sivasagar. The venue for Modi's programme, where he will launch an Assam government initiative to distribute 1.06 lakh land allotment certificates at an event here today.

Formerly known as Rangpur, Sivasagar is in the part of Upper Assam, which saw strong opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) last year.

Today I am here to be a part of your happiness and celebration as our government in Assam has completed a huge task. Today, those who love Assam and are from the state are getting recognition of their land," Modi said reiterating his government’s commitment to give land rights to the indigenous people of the state.

According to the PMO release, taking into account an urgent need to protect the land rights of indigenous people of the state, the Assam government came out with a comprehensive new Land Policy with a renewed emphasis on protecting the land rights of the indigenous people.

"The issuance of allotment certificates for indigenous people of Assam has been given top priority so as to instill a sense of security amongst them. Assam had 5.75 lakh landless families in 2016. The present Government has distributed 2.28 lakhs land allotment certificates since May 2016. The ceremony on January 23 marks the next step in this process," the release stated.

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