Assam Violence: Govt Seeks Early HC Ruling on Grazing Land Evictions Amid Communal Tensions
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Guwahati, Assam: Amid ongoing communal tensions in West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government will move the Gauhati High Court for an early ruling on a stay order related to evictions in grazing lands. This decision comes after a tripartite meeting between the state government, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and protest leaders demanding the clearing of encroachments in Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve lands. The meeting was convened in response to the recent violence between the indigenous Karbi and Bihari communities, which left two people dead and over 70 injured, mostly police personnel. The CM emphasized that the state government will act in accordance with the high court's order, which is expected to bring relief to the affected communities. In a bid to resolve the sensitive issue, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council will file its affidavit in the case by January 5. The CM also announced that the Karbi people will submit a petition in the case before the court. The government has agreed to grant an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh to the family of the person killed in police firing, while the KAAC will provide a job to a family member. To address the long-standing grievances, the government will shift all government offices from the grazing lands, fence 8,000 bighas of vacant grazing lands, and undertake an afforestation drive. Trade licenses issued to business establishments in the grazing lands will also be canceled. The KAAC has agreed to carry out eviction drives to clear land of various departments encroached in the two districts. A second round of talks is scheduled for January 17, and the CM expressed hope that the high court will deliver its verdict by then. He also assured that the police will grant general amnesty in the violent incidents, except for the case related to the death of the person whose house was set on fire.
