On February 15th, in the Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong district, the tense situation resulting from an attack by Hindi-speaking individuals on a protesting student organization has been brought under control, yet there remains an undercurrent of tension in both the hill districts. Despite the unrest, Tuliram Ronghang, the chief executive member of the council, who has been attending the BJP’s National Executive meeting in New Delhi, returned to the district today.
He engaged in discussions with the regional political party ASDC, the fraternal organization Karbi Students’ Association, and KNCA, among others, in the council’s conference room, regarding the ongoing movement to free PGR and VGR lands from encroachment.
After the discussion, ASDC party president Chandrakanta Terang conveyed to the media today that the talks were successful and disclosed that five demands were presented before the council. Chandrakanta Terang stated to the press that in order to prevent any unpleasant incidents from occurring in light of this situation, they have been addressing the media almost daily, calling for the public to maintain peace and order. Today, in response to the council’s invitation, we have accepted and are participating in the discussion.
In the discussion, I have presented five written demands. The first demand is that an eviction operation should be carried out within 30 days on PGR-VGR lands, exempting the hill tribes from this campaign. All outsiders who have infiltrated Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong should be evicted, as the presence of illegal infiltrators has disrupted our balance and led to unpleasant incidents.
The group claims that illegal infiltration poses a threat to the indigenous people and also brings a crisis to our language and culture. According to the fourth demand, the group insists on the removal of polling stations established on grazing lands. Finally, the fifth demand is to expunge the names of all illegal infiltrators from the electoral rolls of the Lok Sabha, the state assembly, and other constitutional election processes.
The chief executive member of the council expressed full agreement with the demand, assuring that the eviction process would begin from tomorrow, as disclosed to the press by Terang. Terang also claimed that today’s discussion was successful. On the other hand, Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang commented on today’s discussion, stating that the ASDC, KSA, and brotherhood organizations had been leading a movement regarding the eviction of residents from PGR-VGR lands, and it was in this context that they came together for a discussion today.
Several of our revenue circles are facing illegal occupation of PGR-VGR lands, and in regard to this, we will convene a meeting tomorrow at 10 AM with all political parties, former Chief Executive Members, former ministers, former MPs, and all national organizations of the district. Following the discussion, the council’s course of action will be announced, as stated by Ronghang. Additionally, Ronghang has declared that an amount of one lakh rupees will be provided to the student leaders who were injured in the incident on the 15th of February.
On the other hand, he has made it known that instructions were given to the Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to arrest those involved in the assault on the same day, and that the perpetrators have already been apprehended. Addressing the tense situation in both hill districts, the Chief Executive Member emphasized that demands cannot be resolved through violence or agitation, and that discussion is the only way to solve any problem.
I have extended invitations to all relevant groups and entities for a roundtable dialogue scheduled for tomorrow. My consistent advocacy has been for the creation of lasting tranquility across the two hill districts, and Ronghang has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that enduring peace is essential for initiating different development projects. Moreover, taking into account the current high school and higher secondary exams, I urge the cessation of all strikes and demonstrations to prevent any disruption to the students. The results of the discussions set for tomorrow will be influenced by the circumstances in the hill districts, and at present, the entire area is abuzz with conversations about these developments.
