HT Bureau
DIPHU, Feb 6: Various political parties, youth fronts, and NGOs organised a joint sit-in demonstration on Thursday, demanding the eviction of encroachers from the border areas.
The protest was led by the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), ASDC Youth Front, James Hanse-led All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC), Women Karbi Students Association (WKSA), Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA), APHLC-WCEC, and Karbi Anglong Rong Asar Amei.
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The participants called for the immediate removal of illegal settlers from inter-state borders and areas such as Lahorijan PRF, Daldali Reserved Forest, and the PGR/VGR region.
The organisations also urged authorities to take appropriate action to prevent further illegal immigration into Karbi Anglong.
During the demonstration, ASDC general secretary and former chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Jotson Bey, highlighted the constitutional provisions designed to protect the hill people of Assam.
“The Constitution was not framed by us or the people of the Northeast, but it includes provisions to safeguard the land, language, and culture of the hill people,” Bey stated.
He also accused several people of entering Karbi Anglong without proper documentation.
“This is a protected area. People cannot enter without valid proof and must inform the KAAC. Yet, many outsiders, including Muslims, Bengalis, and Biharis, have entered without documents. The Karbis have not encroached on PGR/VGR land; it is people from outside who are doing so. The land of the tribal people is being encroached upon, and there is no protection,” Bey added.
He further emphasised that everyone must abide by the Constitution and the KAAC’s rules. Bey also pointed out that the newcomers encroaching on tribal lands are attacking the Karbi people.
“I’m saying that the bona fide Muslims, Bengalis, and Biharis who have lived here for decades should remain, but the recent arrivals who are encroaching on tribal land must be evicted,” Bey concluded.
