Correspondents
DIPHU/MAILOO, Aug 20: A massive protest was held in Diphu town, the headquarters of Karbi Anglong District, led by All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC) president Jones Ingti Kathar. The demonstration targeted the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and its Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang, accusing the BJP-led administration of undermining the Sixth Schedule provisions and allocating tribal and indigenous land to corporate entities.
The protest began at Birla and culminated at the Karbi Anglong District Commissioner’s Office, with significant participation from local residents. Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi also joined the protest.
Protesters voiced their outrage through placards and slogans, including “Tuliram No-Tribal CEM,” “BJP Go Back,” and “Tuliram Go Back,” reflecting deep discontent with the KAAC leadership.
Gogoi sharply criticized CEM Tuliram Ronghang, alleging a conspiracy to hand over tribal and indigenous lands to corporate houses for personal gain. He accused the BJP of failing to honour its election promise to fully implement the Sixth Schedule, which grants autonomy and safeguards land rights for tribal communities in Karbi Anglong.
Gogoi contrasted the alleged lavish spending on Ronghang’s home, worth two hundred crores, with the poor living conditions of tribal and indigenous people in the hills, who are forced to live in kutcha houses. He branded Ronghang as “anti-tribal and anti-indigenous.” Gogoi further claimed that thousands of bighas of protected land under the Sixth Schedule are being allocated to corporate entities, threatening the region’s cultural and economic heritage.
The protest highlights growing tensions between the KAAC and local communities, who demand the protection of their constitutional rights and an end to land allotments favoring corporate interests. The demonstration signals a unified stand by APHLC and AJP to safeguard Karbi Anglong’s tribal identity and autonomy.