Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Leads Tripartite Meeting to Address Kheroni Land Issue in Karbi Anglong

Guwahati:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday convened a special tripartite discussion at Janata Bhawan with Karbi representatives to review the situation arising from recent disturbances in West Karbi Anglong. The meeting, which began in the evening, brought together the Chief Executive Member of KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang, Karbi community leaders, the Karbi Raja, and representatives from various local organisations.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister informed that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) will submit its detailed report on the matter by January 5, while Karbi organisations have also been asked to present their claims and observations. He further stated that the state government has requested the court to fast-track the case, citing the sensitivity of the issue and the need for timely intervention.

A series of important measures were discussed during the meeting. It was decided that government offices currently operating within Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) areas will be shifted to alternative locations. To safeguard protected land in Kheroni, the council plans to fence and undertake afforestation across nearly 8,000 bighas to prevent future encroachment.

On the issue of the recent police firing incident, in which a civilian lost his life, the Chief Minister announced that the KAAC will provide employment to the victim’s family, while the state government will extend an ex-gratia assistance of ₹10 lakh. Additionally, all trade licences issued within PGR-VGR areas will be withdrawn, and the council will also proceed with eviction of encroachments on departmental land outside these reserve zones.

CM Sarma added that further deliberations are scheduled for January 17, where matters related to land conduct regulations and alienation rules under the council will be taken up. He stressed that the situation should not be viewed as a dispute between communities but as the outcome of long-standing unresolved land issues.

The Chief Minister also confirmed that the Bokolia irrigation eviction drive will begin shortly. Concluding the meeting, he reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing all sensitive matters promptly, while ensuring legal compliance and fairness in administrative action.