HT Bureau
DIPHU, April 19: Joint Coordination Committee for Protection of Autonomy (JCCPA) has said there is no policy on the part of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to protect land of tribal people.
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“The tribal land under the jurisdiction of KAAC has been made a commercial commodity and given to anyone at its will,” the JCCPA said.
In a press conference held at the District Press Club of Karbi Anglong here on Wednesday, the JCCPA convenor, Khorsing Teron said the KAAC must adopt land policy for protection of tribal land in the twin hill districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.
“As of now it is seen that the land of tribal people is being used as a commercial commodity by giving it to anyone whom the KAAC authority is pleased with,” he alleged.
The JCCPA press statement said the KAAC has finalized giving 2,000 bighas of land for setting up of a 1,000 megawatt solar power plant to APDCL. Teron said that there is no disclosure on the benefit to tribal people by setting up of the solar power plant or the environmental impact.
The statement said that it is the responsibility of the KAAC to protect land of tribal people, but it has been found that the KAAC has been generous in giving land to anyone who ever asked for it. Therefore the JCCPA urged upon the KAAC authority to adopt a firm policy for protection of tribal land.
Teron also mentioned the KAAC authority of giving 62 bighas of government allotted land at Havarpi tourist lodge, 5th km Lumding Road to Art of Living– a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organisation founded by Sri Sri Ravi Sankar. It was not known as to how and why the land was given.
The JCCPA statement also mentioned recent incidents at Muthade under Zirikindeng police station and at Am-i under Hamren Police Station, where Khasi people from Meghalaya entered West Karbi Anglong and damaged the sign board and entry tax gate.
Teron said that despite villagers from Meghalaya damaging the sign board of entry tax gate, the Assam police personnel posted there, witnessed the incident as silent spectators.
Teron said that the 1951 demarcated boundary of Karbi Anglong now West Karbi Anglong is well defined and the claim by Meghalaya cannot be accepted. It is an aggression into the territory of Assam land and the government of Assam should take it seriously. Though the inter-state boundary issues are of state subject, the KAAC has the responsibility to tackle the matter by pressuring the State government in finding a permanent solution to it.
The general secretary, JCCPA, Rabindra Rongpi blamed the KAAC authority for not visiting the place after the incident.
“What is the reaction of the KAAC? Did a KAAC team visit the place? The KAAC authority should have informed the chief minister of Assam. A high level enquiry should have been constituted. Why the KAAC and government of Assam are keeping silent on the issue,” Rongpi questioned.
