Leader of the Opposition of the Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA) Debabrata Saikia led an all-opposition party delegation to meet with Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, requesting an independent investigation into the recent violent incidents in the West Karbi Anglong district.
The opposition parties accused Kheroni Bazar under the Donkamukam Revenue Circle an area covered by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of a severe breakdown in law and order as well as numerous administrative errors in a comprehensive memorandum they sent to the governor. On December 30, the delegation traveled to the areas affected by violence.
According to the opposition, the disturbance started after indigenous people in Phelangpi village, including members of the Karbi community and other tribal groups, staged a protest.
Citing the Autonomous District Council's authority under Paragraph 3(1)(a) of the Sixth Schedule, the demonstrators were calling for the eviction of accused encroachers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) properties.
The memorandum claims that after police allegedly used force to evict demonstrators who were on a hunger strike, tensions increased and the public became enraged.
Later, the situation worsened as protesters and security personnel clashed close to the Kheroni (Thong Nokbe) Bridge, with police allegedly using blank and aerial fire. Following that, there were reports of vandalism and arson incidents that damaged homes, businesses, and a school bus.
Two people, Linus Phangcho, who allegedly died from injuries sustained during police action, and Suraj Dey, a person with a disability who died after his home was set on fire, were said to have died as a result of administrative failure to handle the situation, according to the opposition. The lack of a neighboring fire station was also mentioned in the report, which is said to have made the death and property losses worse.
Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, was also accused of grave crimes.
Along with allegations of undeclared assets and the retrieval of weapons and ammunition, the opposition accused him of destroying incriminating evidence by wrecking his home during the disturbance. The delegation called for a high-level court investigation into the situation as well as his immediate suspension.
All impacted families, both tribal and non-tribal, as well as store owners who lost their jobs, were to get sufficient compensation and rehabilitation, according to the memorandum.
The opposition said that even a week after the violence, many victims were still without aid and that help had not been provided in accordance with standards.
The opposition called for the stringent protection of VGR and PGR lands in accordance with constitutional requirements, the Assam Accord, and recent rulings from the Gauhati High Court (GHC), emphasizing the sacredness of Sixth Schedule territories.
They also emphasized the necessity of protecting non-tribal residents lives and property through due process and compassionate rehabilitation.
The opposition warned that inaction might further undermine public confidence and community harmony in the delicate area and called on the Governor to step in to restore the rule of law, provide justice for victims, and protect constitutional rights in West Karbi Anglong.
CPI (M) MLA Monorajan Talukdar, Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, All Party Hill Leaders Conference president JI Kathar, Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Jagadish Bhuyan, and other dignitaries make up the delegation.
