Karbi students say non tribals can’t own land in West Karbi Anglong district

DIPHU — The All India Karbi Students’ Union (AIKSU) has opposed the demand of the Rachnatmak Nonia Sanyukta Sangh (RNSS) to protect the land rights of the settlers on VGR/PGR land in West Karbi Anglong district, Assam.

In a press release, the student body alleged that the RNSS had submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, during her recent visit to Meghalaya, demanding the land rights of people settling in village grazing reserve (VGR) and professional grazing reserve (PGR) land.

However, it claimed that the settlers, mostly the Biharis, were there not due to undisputed possession, erosion-induced displacement, or ethnic violence. ‘It is crucial to note that Karbi Anglong is a Schedule Tribe area, and only tribals have the right to acquire land as per the Mikir Hills District (Transfer of Land Act) 1959,’ read the press release.

The student went on to state that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is the rightful owner of the land, as such the Basuhdhara portal scheme should not be imposed in Karbi Anglong.

Urging the state government not to play vote bank politics by allotting land to illegal immigrants, it called for a swift eviction drive.