Protests in Assam’s Karbi Anglong: Demand for eviction of illegal settlers from PGR, VGR land gets louder

BJP's Howraghat MLA Dorshing Ronghang assured that the encroachers in Professional Grazing Reserved Land (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserved (VGR) Land will be evicted soon.

Reported by Sarim Tisso

Assam’s hill district Karbi Anglong is witnessing massive protests since Thursday demanding illegal settlers in Professional Grazing Reserved Land(PGR) and Village Grazing Reserved(VGR) Land be evicted immediately.

Led by the Karbi Students Association, people took to streets at Diphu, Manja, Dokmoka, Bokajan and other places as shops remained shut very few vehicles were seen on the streets.

The protests escalated today after a few protestors were allegedly attacked by an irate mob, who are believed to be some of the illegal settlers. Nine protestors were injured in the attack during the agitation that began since Thursday.

Police have so far arrested at least 15 people involved in attacking the protestors.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Howraghat Dorshing Ronghang assured the protestors that the government will certainly take appropriate steps to evict illegal settlers from the Professional Grazing Reserved Land(PGR) and Village Grazing Reserved(VGR) Land areas.

He said that encroachment in such areas will not be tolerated at any cost.

Briefing newspersons, Ronhang said, “I want to clearly say that the issue of PGR VGR is an issue which not only pertains to Karbi Anglong AC, but it is a matter which is in the hands of the Centre and the Assam Government. Whether it is the Centre, Assam Govt or the KAAC, encroachment of forest land, encroachment of land under the KNP, encroachment of PGR VGR land will not be tolerated at any cost.”

The Howraghat MLA further believes that the Assam Government will do the needful and co-ordinate with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) for removing the illegal settlers.

He said, “I hope regarding this matter (eviction of illegal settlers from PGR and VGR) too the state government will help us following which there will be certainly eviction.
We are totally against those who have illegally settled in PGR and VGR areas, very soon there will be eviction against them. We will follow the same norms as we have done it in terms of eviction along the Nagaland border as well as in other areas.”

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

The Autonomous State Demand Committee Youth Front (ASDCYF) and Karbi Student Association (KSA) is in stiff opposition to the actions of the Rachnatmak Nonia Sanyukta Sangh (RNSS). The RNSS has been advocating for land rights to village grazing reserve (VGR) and professional grazing reserve (PGR) land in the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

If reports are to be believed, the RNSS had submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, during her recent visit to Meghalaya, demanding the land rights of people settling in village grazing reserve (VGR) and professional grazing reserve (PGR) land.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆?

As per MLA Dorshing Ronghang, ASDC Youth Front had organised a protest on Professional Grazing Reserved Land(PGR) and Village Grazing Reserved(VGR) Land issue. But the protestors were involved in verbal altercation as well as exchange of blows with a few Hindi speaking youths.

He said, “We got a report that Karbi youths were brutally thrashed. We have ordered the SP (Law and Order) to arrest the perpetrators. Already 15 culprits have been arrested. Others involved in the incident will be arrested too.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘆?

The agitating groups claims that the settlers in PGR and VGR, were there not due to undisputed possession, erosion-induced displacement, or ethnic violence. ‘It is crucial to note that Karbi Anglong is a Schedule Tribe area, and only tribals have the right to acquire land as per the Mikir Hills District (Transfer of Land Act) 1959,’

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