The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has committed to submitting its crucial affidavit before the Gauhati High Court by January 5 in the ongoing case concerning the eviction of individuals from grazing reserves in the region. This decisive step was finalized during a tripartite meeting held on Friday involving the state government, the KAAC, and protestors demanding the removal of non-tribal settlers from protected lands.
Court Case and Government Directive
The legal battle revolves around eviction orders for Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands in both West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts. Three separate petitions related to this issue were filed before the Gauhati High Court between July and September of last year. However, the KAAC had not submitted its required affidavit until now, causing a delay in the judicial process.
Following the meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the media, stating that the pending affidavit was the primary hurdle. He confirmed that the KAAC would file its response by the January 5 deadline. Furthermore, the Karbi community will also present its representation in the case. The state government plans to request the court for an expedited judgment to enable administrative action based on the verdict.
Immediate Actions and Land Protection Measures
In a significant move to prevent further illegal occupation, the council has been directed to fence approximately 8,000 bighas of vacant VGR and PGR land located in Kheroni, West Karbi Anglong. This measure aims to stop new encroachments on these disputed territories.
The Chief Minister also announced that all government offices currently situated on the contested VGR and PGR lands will be relocated. Additionally, the council has been instructed to clear encroachments from lands belonging to various government departments that fall outside the VGR and PGR areas in Karbi Anglong.
Compensation and Economic Measures
Addressing the recent unrest, CM Sarma stated that the KAAC would provide a government job to the next of kin of the individual who died in police firing on Tuesday. The state government will also grant an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the family.
In a move to discourage illegal settlement, the council will cancel the trade licenses issued to people residing on the disputed VGR and PGR lands. This step is intended to remove economic incentives for occupation.
The Chief Minister concluded by announcing that the next round of discussions on this complex issue is scheduled for January 17. All parties are now awaiting the court's decision, which is expected to provide a clear legal pathway for resolving the long-standing dispute over grazing lands in the autonomous council region.
