"There have been incidents of thefts and burglaries in some satras. For prevention of such incidents, help of locals living in the vicinity of satras can be taken for formation of a Satra Protection Force," Gogoi told a function of the Directorate of Archaeology here.
A special fund should be created for uplift of the satras with contribution from the general people as these Vaishnavite monasteries had passed through a 'turbulent phase' including flood and erosion, he said, at the function held to distribute cheques to the satras.
The state government had since 2005 provided Rs 19 crore to 219 satras across the state and the Central government too had come forward with its help. However, the government alone cannot always provide financial assistance and so citizens' help is needed, CM said.
He described the satras as the backbone of the state's cultural heritage as it spread Vaishnavite culture and teachings of Srimanta Sarkardeva.
Cheques were handed over to a total 87 satras totalling Rs 10 crore for their preservation and uplift, official sources said.