HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Dec 11: The indefinite hunger strike demanding eviction from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land entered its fourth day on Thursday at Phelangpi in West Karbi Anglong, with protesters continuing their agitation under the leadership of Litsong Rongphar, who has stated he is not aligned with any organisation.
The movement has drawn support from Daniel Langthasa, former Congress leader and leader of the People’s Party, Dima Hasao.
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Extending moral support, Langthasa said the concerns over protection of indigenous communities were being overshadowed by political narratives surrounding ST status.
“Nobody is listening to us in our own land. The Ahoms, Koch, Rajbongshi, Moran and Motok all seek protection, but protection from whom?” he asked.
He added that genuine threats to indigenous identity stem from illegal foreigners and migration from other states, arguing that neither ST status nor the Sixth Schedule alone can safeguard communities.
He pointed out that eviction drives on illegal occupation are taking place elsewhere in Assam but not in Karbi Anglong, and noted that the Dispur Secretariat once stood on Karbi land, yet Karbis today have little presence in major commercial spheres.
Langthasa further stated that indigenous groups were being pitted against one another for political gain and vote bank politics.
The hunger strike, which began last Saturday, is demanding immediate eviction of alleged encroachers from grazing lands in Karbi Anglong to protect community rights, land resources and ancestral hearths.
