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Assam : Movement for Karbi Anglong state |
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The movement for a separate state in Karbi Anglong is set to get a fresh momentum with the CPI (M-L) calling a convention to unite the organisations in the district which support the demand.
CPI (M-L) leader and former parliamentarian Jayanta Rongpi said the three-day convention would be held in Diphu from January 11 r to revive the statehood movement.
Rongpi said the autonomous district council arrangement in the district failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people. “The original movement for the statehood has to be revived,” he said. Rongpi said the rift in the pro-statehood group had weakened the movement. Rongpi said there are possibilities of forming a united front in the Assembly elections in support of the demand.
The CPI(M-L)’s call to revive the movement comes at a times when a militant outfit of the district has declared a truce with the government while another has reportedly sent feelers for talks with the government.
Rongpi was critical of the government’s approach towards the militant problem in the district. He said allowing militants to move around with arms and continuing extortion in the name of ceasefire complicated the situation. He said even government officers were forced to pay “taxes” to the militant groups
Barak rebel leader held in joint raid
Assam and Mizoram police have apprehended the self-styled “eastern area commander” of the United Liberation Front of Barak Valley during a joint operation in the Saihapui jungles.
Police in south Assam’s Hailakandi district said the militant, Samserai Reang, was captured and kept in the Kolasib police station of Mizoram. However, the militant was handed over to Hailakandi police for investigations into two cases of abductions. A top police source today said the militant was allegedly involved in the abductions of Pratul Deb from Hailakandi district in May and an assistant manager of Dholai tea estate in August.
The police have picked up 15 people in connection with the kidnapping of Deb, a former education consultant in England, and brother-in-law of State Social Welfare Minister Goutam Roy. The case was handed over to the CBI last month.
UPDS warning
The pro-talks faction of the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has threatened armed operations against the bamboo traders who had violated its ban on bamboo felling.
The outfit is active in the twin hills districts of Assam, Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills.
UPDS joint secretary W. Mukrang today alleged that a few “dishonest contractors” were carrying on their practice in the Bokajan and Hamren subdivisions of Karbi Anglong despite the outfit’s ban.
The Karbi militant group imposed the ban on bamboo felling in the two hill districts for two years with effect from December 11.
In a recent press release, the group alleged that the Jagiroad-based unit of the Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited collected more than 70 per cent of its raw materials from Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills, but had done nothing to restore the green cover.
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