Assam's Chief Minister Addresses Unrest in West Karbi Anglong
Restoration of Normalcy in West Karbi Anglong
Guwahati, Dec 24: Following a period of unrest, West Karbi Anglong is gradually returning to normal, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Wednesday that he would not speculate on any external involvement in the recent disturbances.
While attending a welfare scheme event in Naharkatia, Sarma responded to media inquiries, indicating that his administration had foreseen potential unrest as the election season approaches but refrained from attributing it to outside influences.
He remarked, “With elections on the horizon, we anticipated some disturbances in a few locations. We must exercise caution, especially during December and January. I prefer not to involve any third parties in this matter.”
Sarma emphasized that violence is not a viable solution and highlighted the limitations of government authority regarding land issues, particularly in areas governed by judicial rulings.
“Violence cannot resolve issues. The Karbi community in Kheroni must recognize that we cannot act without court approval. Disregarding a court order could lead to contempt charges,” he explained.
He drew comparisons to eviction actions taken in other parts of Assam, noting that such measures followed extensive legal processes and received judicial endorsement.
“People often urge me to conduct evictions in various locations. However, no government can operate in defiance of court rulings,” he stated.
The Chief Minister expressed his disappointment that some members of the Karbi community in West Karbi Anglong have not fully grasped these legal limitations. He assured that any misunderstandings would be clarified through dialogue once peace is restored.
“I cannot explain why this has not been understood. However, I will clarify everything once I meet with them. First, we need to restore peace in the district,” Sarma added.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Sarma noted that the unrest in Kheroni was fueled by concerns among certain segments of the indigenous Karbi population regarding the demographic balance, believing that non-tribals now outnumber tribals in the region.
“They assert that tribals constitute 35% while non-tribals make up 65%, leading to demands for evictions from village grazing reserves and government land. This statistic requires scrutiny, as the origin of the ‘35%’ is unclear,” he remarked.
In related developments, Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu, who visited the affected areas, announced that a tripartite meeting would be held on December 26, involving the state government, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and representatives of the protesting locals to seek a resolution through dialogue.