HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 16: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) has called on the state government to provide justice to the families of the victims of the infamous Charchim-Prisek massacre, which occurred on October 17, 2005, in West Karbi Anglong.
During a press conference at the ASDC central committee office, ASDC president Chandra Kanta Terang noted that 20 years have passed since the tragic incident in which 41 individuals were killed by militants. Despite this passage of time, the families of the victims are still awaiting justice.
“It is important to mention that during the ethnic clashes in Karbi Anglong on October 17, 2005, suspected Dimasa militants allegedly killed 41 people,” Terang said.
He explained that on that fateful morning, a Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) transport bus carrying passengers from Jirikending was ambushed by militants at Charchim-Prisek village, resulting in the horrific slaughter.
“We will not identify the victims by tribe, whether Karbi or Dimasa. What we want to emphasize is that 20 years after the incident, the victims’ families have yet to receive justice,” Terang added.
He also pointed out that although the state government announced the formation of a commission for a judicial inquiry into the incident, no such commission has been established to date.
The anniversary of the massacre will be observed as the 19th National Mourning Day on October 18 in Karbi Anglong.
Addressing allegations that he called for the scrapping of Article 244(A) of the Indian Constitution, which provides for the creation of an Autonomous State, Terang clarified, “I have heard claims that I advocated for scrapping Article 244(A). What I actually said is that the state and central governments should take the initiative to implement Article 244(A) by passing it in Parliament. Once implemented, it could then be reconsidered for potential scrapping, but not before.”
