Rongker Karkli Festival Celebrated Amid Legal Developments in Karbi Anglong

The Karbi community is celebrating the Rongker Karkli Festival, a significant cultural event, while simultaneously facing a crucial legal battle over land rights in Assam. This two-day festival, which began on January 5, 2026, is dedicated to honoring local deities and ensuring community welfare. However, the day also marks a pivotal moment in ongoing legal proceedings concerning alleged encroachments on grazing reserves. As the community engages in traditional festivities, they await the court's decision that could impact both their cultural practices and land rights. Discover more about this unique intersection of celebration and legal challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 5, 2026, 11:19 IST

Rongker Karkli Festival: A Cultural Celebration

Diphu, Jan 5: The Karbi community is currently celebrating the Rongker Karkli Festival, a vibrant two-day event that commenced on Sunday, highlighting a significant legal issue in the region.

This annual festival holds immense cultural and religious importance for the Karbi people.

As the main indigenous group in Assam's hilly areas, the Karbis have initiated festivities across Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and other regions starting Sunday.

Rongker Karkli serves as a post-harvest thanksgiving celebration, aimed at honoring local deities for the community's welfare, safeguarding against disasters, ensuring bountiful harvests, and promoting overall prosperity. The villages are bustling with rituals, traditional dances, communal feasts, and offerings, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Karbi community.

Legal Proceedings on Land Rights

Simultaneously, January 5, 2026, is a pivotal date in an ongoing legal dispute concerning land rights in the area.

The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the Assam Government are preparing to submit a joint affidavit to the Gauhati High Court regarding three pending writ petitions: WP (C)/3524/2024, WP (C)/5117/2024, and WP (C)/3718/2024.

These petitions address claims of encroachments on Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands located in the Kheroni region, part of the Donkamokam Revenue Circle in West Karbi Anglong.

The High Court has previously imposed stays on eviction actions related to these cases, preventing immediate measures against settlers. The forthcoming joint affidavit is anticipated to clarify the situation regarding these contested reserved lands.

The court's ultimate decision will influence whether evictions from the disputed grazing reserves can proceed, a matter that has sparked considerable debate recently.

As the community revels in the joyous Rongker festivities, the rest of the residents await the legal outcomes with hope for resolutions that honor both cultural heritage and land rights.