Their demands also include strict action to prevent further influx of illegal immigrants into Karbi Anglong and to protect the indigenous identity and resources
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
A sit-in protest was staged on Thursday near the Post Office in Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam, demanding the immediate eviction of illegal settlers who have allegedly encroached on the land over the past two to three years.
The protesters, led by James Hanse, president of the All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC), demanded eviction of illegal settlers from Lahorijan PRF, Daldali Reserve Forest and proposed grazing reserve, and village grazing areas.
Their demands also include strict action to prevent further influx of illegal immigrants into Karbi Anglong and to protect the indigenous identity and resources. The protest’s motto is “No compromise on our land, No more encroachment, land grabbing, and illegal settlements.”
According to James, the protest aims to protect “Karbi land,” which was recognized as a district in 1950-51, spanning 10,464 square kilometers. Despite this recognition, many infiltrators and illegal settlers have occupied land in Lahorijan, Assam, Lahorijan proposed Reserve Forest, Doldoli Central Reserve Forest, and PGR VGR in Kheroni,.
The APHLC has requested the government of Assam and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to evict these illegal settlers, who have been living on forest land for two to three years. The APHLC was formed in 1968 to demand an autonomous state and has recently reformed to emphasize that its movement is not directed against any particular communities.
As the publicity secretary of the Autonomous Demand Committee Party, James disclosed that ASDC and APSLC have formed a common forum called “Forum for Autonomous State Movement” to organize the sit-in protest.
Karbi Anglong is a Sixth Schedule area, where even local populations require permission from the Autonomous Council to establish villages. The protesters are demanding that the Autonomous Council evict illegal settlers, particularly from the Daldali forest, where large-scale encroachment is occurring.
James emphasized that the illegal settlers have destroyed the environment, forest resources, and everything else, and that it is the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s responsibility to evict them. He warned that the movement would intensify in a democratic manner if their demands are not met.