Staff reporter
DIPHU, Apr 19: The Joint Coordination Committee for Protection of Autonomy (JCCPA) expressed their serious concern over the policy bankruptcy of the KAAC to protect land within the area of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. In a press meeting held today, the organisation’s leaders stated that the KAAC is too generous in giving away land belonging to tribal people to several parties.
“Recently, the KAAC has finalized the setting up of 1000 MW solar power plant at Langkaijan in Karbi Anglong; and for the purpose, land measuring 20000 bighas has been given to the APDCI. It amounts to the alienation of tribal land and land grabbing which cannot be accepted,” wrote the JCCPA in a press stamen issued after the meeting.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of the KAAC to protect land within the specified trial area of Karbi Anglong but the authority of the KAAC has been found generously giving land to whoever asks for it,” the statement further read.
Therefore, JCCPA had urged upon KAAC CEM “to take the matter into serious reconsideration and to adopt a firm policy for the protection of tribal land.”
The organisation also expressed their worry over the incidents at Muthade under Zikinding PS and Am’i under Hamren PS in West Karbi Anglong which happened on 17th April, 2023. They strongly condemned the incidents which they say were targeted to create a law and order situation in the areas concerned and to disturb the peace and tranquillity prevailing in the areas.
“The frequent breach of peace and tranquillity along West Karbi Anglong (Assam) – Meghalaya Border is a matter of serious concern. Not five months have passed since the unfortunate Mukro firing incidents that took place on November 22, 2022, in which six persons, including one of Assam’s Forest Protection Force personnel Bidyasing Lekthe, lost their lives. Therefore, the incidents should be viewed seriously and the group of persons involved in instigating the residents should be brought to book,” wrote JCCPA.
They appealed to both Karbi and Khasi-Jaintia communities along the border to maintain peace and communal harmony to install peace. “The authority of the KAAC, the district administration should take immediate necessary measures to ensure peace and communal harmony in areas bordering Meghalaya,” JCCPA finally wrote.
JCCPA convenors Saising Rongpi, Rabindra Rongpi, Khorsing Teron, members Jitu Pator anD Kaikiri Pator were among those who attended the press meeting.