HT Correspondent
DONGKAMUKAM, May 9: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, has accused the opposition All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC) of misleading the people on the Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land eviction issue, claiming the party is trying to seize power “by any means.”
He made the remarks during a mass joining programme of the BJP at Chengbong playground, Kopili, in West Karbi Anglong.
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The event, organised by the BJP’s Kopili Mandal Committee, saw the reported defection of a large number of opposition workers to the ruling party. Those joining included members from the APHLC led by Bin Phangcho, the Congress led by Suken Pator, the Autonomous State Demand Committee led by Rajen Pator, and the CPI (ML).
In his address, Ronghang said, “Eviction cannot be carried out in the Kheroni PGR/VGR land in West Karbi Anglong, as the matter is sub-judice. No one is above the law, and the Court has issued a stay order. The allegations made by the APHLC are baseless and politically motivated.”
Ronghang also reaffirmed that the KAAC, under his leadership, is a democratically elected body with a five-year mandate. He refuted APHLC president JI Kathar’s claims calling for a re-election, labelling them as misinformation.
JI Kathar has repeatedly demanded a re-election in the KAAC, alleging that the last election was conducted illegally. He has also accused the BJP and its allies of promoting the influence of ‘Bongo Sena’, a term he uses to criticise perceived threats to tribal interests in Karbi Anglong.
Countering these claims, Ronghang accused Kathar of hypocrisy, saying, “JI Kathar himself is the chief of ‘Bongo Sena’, being married to a Bengali woman. People should remain cautious of Kathar and his party.”
The CEM also called for political unity on the issue of an Autonomous State and informed the public that ex-gratia payments of Rs 5 lakh have been given to the families of those who lost their lives during the Autonomous State movement.
The meeting was also attended by MP Amar Sing Tisso, MLAs Darsing Ronghang and Bidhyasing Engleng, and BJP West Karbi Anglong District President Radip Ronghang.
