Protect land rights of indigenous people in W Karbi Anglong: Aasu to CM

Guwahati: All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) has issued an urgent appeal to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, requesting immediate action to curb the “dominance of non-indigenous” people in the West Karbi Anglong region.

In a media release on Wednesday, Aasu expressed deep concern over recent violence and urged the Chief Minister to safeguard the land rights of the indigenous Karbi community.

Aasu president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Samiran Phukan emphasized the significance of the issue, stating, “The problem of Karbi Anglong is a problem of Assam. A problem faced by Assam’s ethnic life.” They highlighted that the "unabated and illegal settlement" of non-indigenous individuals over the past decades poses a threat to the Karbi tribal and other indigenous populations.The student body warned of the potential for indigenous communities to become minorities in their own homeland, stressing the need for urgent intervention. The recent violence, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals during a protest by Karbi tribals demanding the eviction of non-tribals from VGR and PGR lands, underscores the urgency of the situation. Aasu advocates for a resolution through dialogue, rejecting the use of force against protestors.

Aasu also condemned the actions of some non-indigenous individuals who reportedly shouted “Karbi Go Back" during a confrontation, a video of which has gone viral. The student union criticized the alleged racist remarks labeling Karbis as “Chinese” and the reported attempts to attack indigenous people.“Such behaviour of non-indigenous people towards the indigenous people in Assam’s land is unbearable. The culprits must be punished,” the Aasu statement declared, urging the chief minister to take swift measures to restore peace and normalcy in the district.