Eviction drive: KAAC, student bodies resolve to maintain peace

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Jan. 31 (EMN): Close on the heels of eviction drive being carried out by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) along the Assam-Nagaland border on three occasions, including on Sunday at Khan Basti, several Karbi and Naga student bodies had a meeting at Diphu with an aim to maintain tranquillity between the two communities.

Adviser of Karbi Students’ Union (KSU), Sar-Im Tokbi told Eastern Mirror on Monday that the student bodies discussed ways to arrive at an amicable solution.

‘We had a meeting related to the recent eviction drive to illegal settlers carried out at Dudu colony and Khan Basti, Lahorijan by authority of KAAC. In regard to this, student bodies including Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU), Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), KSU and Karbi Students’ and Youth Council (KSYC) met with KAAC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang and discussed for amicable solution and to maintain peace among Karbis and Nagas in future. Since time immemorial, Nagas and Karbis have been living together in peace and tranquillity,’ said Tokbi.

He added that the eviction drive was carried out against “illegal settlers” and not targeted any certain community. ‘But we are very unfortunate that few Naga families were settling there and were affected by the eviction drive. It was also discussed in the meeting that, another joint meeting between the student bodies will be held on February 5,’ he added.

Meanwhile, CEM of KAAC Ronghang took to Facebook to inform that a representation from NSF, and DNSU has come to apprise him of their grievances with regard to the eviction of “illegal settlers” carried out on Sunday at Balijan and appealed for immediate resettlement of the affected Naga families and for an amicable solution.

‘After a prolonged discussion, the student bodies of both the counterparts (two communities) and the authorities of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council have resolved to maintain PEACE. Nagas and Karbis have been living together since time immemorial, no untoward incident should occur in future,” he added.