In a All party meeting held on Tuesday in Diphu regarding the liberation of the PGR-VGR territory in Karbi Anglong, a unanimous decision was made to evict illegal encroachers from the PGR-VGR lands.
It is worth mentioning that since the 15th of February, there has been unrest in the two hill districts of East and West Karbi Anglong after members of the ASDC Youth Wing and KSA, who were protesting against the illegal occupation and eviction from the Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) in Karbi Anglong, were brutally attacked and seriously injured by miscreants on their way back at Kheroni Chariali in West Karbi Anglong.
Various political groups, student organizations, and social bodies continuously protested to free the PGR-VGR land parcels in two districts from illegal occupation. As a result of these protests, transportation, businesses, and commercial establishments in the districts were completely shut down, bringing public life to a standstill. Amidst this deadlock, on Monday, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council held a meeting at the council’s secretariat with leaders from ASDC, KSA, and KNCA.
Today, once again in the Matipung area of Diphu, Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang called for an all-party meeting at the Arboretum and Craft Centre. The meeting saw participation from leaders of various political parties, student organizations, and social organizations from the district, as well as the presence of the commissioners and superintendents of police from both districts. Following a closed-door meeting that lasted for about three hours starting from 11 am, CEM Tuliram Ronghang organized a press conference.
Addressing the press conference, Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang stated that in today’s meeting a unanimous decision was made to evict 1,983 families from various communities who are currently occupying land illegally in the PGR and VGR territories of Karbi Anglong, in compliance with the orders issued by the Supreme Court. Starting tomorrow, notices will be sent to the illegal encroachers by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Ronghang mentioned that there are approximately 9,865 people living illegally in the area. In addition to preparing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for eviction, a special task force will be formed to carry out the eviction of illegal occupants from the PGR-VGR lands in the Fuloni, Diphu, Shilonijan, and Dongkamokam regions.
Ronghang stated that the appointments of the government-appointed village heads in the PGR-VGR region will also be canceled. He commented that since the law and order is under the jurisdiction of the Assam government, discussions will be held with the Assam government to carry out evictions in this area soon. Moreover, after the eviction, Tuliaram Ronghang mentioned that steps will be taken in phases for the rehabilitation of the evicted residents.
During the all-party meeting held unexpectedly, the protesters created a turbulent atmosphere at Matipung Tiniali in Diphu by chanting various slogans to register their dissent. Security forces were seen on high alert, ready to handle any situation that might arise. Following the meeting, the news of the eviction decision immediately sparked a festive and vocal reaction among the protesters.
