HT Bureau
DIPHU, Sept 8: The BJP East Karbi Anglong has accused leaders Angtong Engti Kathar and Litsong Rongphar of politicising the Professional Grazing Land (PGR)/Village Grazing Land (VGR) issue for publicity.
While addressing a press conference, BJP East Karbi Anglong district committee spokesperson Laichan Engleng responded to allegations made by Kathar and Rongphar regarding the lack of eviction in PGR/VGR areas in Kheroni, West Karbi Anglong.
“Some leaders, such as Angtong Engti Kathar and Litsong Rongphar, are turning the PGR/VGR issue into a political matter to gain personal benefit,” Engleng added.
He further opined that both Kathar and Rongphar had previously criticised the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) for not initiating eviction drives despite notices being issued to encroachers.
“In their press conference on September 7, they announced plans for a sit-in demonstration at the Dongkamukam Revenue Circle office on September 9, 10, and 11. They argued that the 15-day deadline for eviction had expired, and it is now up to the public to take action,” he added.
Engleng responded by asserting that criticism of the KAAC is obstructing the eviction process. He clarified that chief executive member (CEM) of KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang, did not state that eviction would not be carried out. The matter is currently under review by the Guwahati High Court, and if the verdict is favorable to the KAAC, eviction will proceed.
Engleng further criticised Kathar and Rongphar’s association with the ‘Karbi Chingrum Amei’ agitation, urging them not to use divisive tactics to create rifts within the community.
In response to Rongphar’s claim that chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is exploiting Karbi Anglong for personal gain, Engleng countered that such allegations are unfounded.
He highlighted the substantial financial support Karbi Anglong has received under the chief minister’s special package, including Rs 20,000 crore for development, Rs 10 crore for sports complexes in each of the 26 MAC constituencies, Rs 3 crore for the Karbi Youth Festival, and Rs 33 crore for educational purposes.
“If this support is a problem, one must ask: who is benefiting? Is it the Chief Minister or Karbi Anglong?” Engleng said.
On the other hand, BJP East Karbi Anglong media incharge Bidyasing Rongpi also emphasised that the KAAC has already formed a High Power Committee to address the eviction matter, which is currently under way.
