ULFA(I) & NSCN (K) support for ‘People’s Democratic Council of Karbilongri’; Assam Police keeping close watch on Karbi hills situation
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Nov 3: A new Karbi insurgent outfit med ‘People’s Democratic Council of Karbilongri’ has been floated by IK Songbijit, the former leader of the tiol Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). This development has been confirmed by Assam Police.
The formation of the new Karbi insurgent outfit under the leadership of Songbijit is being seen as a shift of focus by the insurgent leader from the Bodo cause to the cause of the Karbis. Songbijit, who belongs to the Karbi community, led the Bodo insurgent outfit for the last several years.
The State government has informed the Centre about the formation of the new Karbi outfit.
Songbijit has changed his me to Jeksai Kangtang Lijang and has been appointed chairman of the new Karbi outfit, formed on October 27 last. Nongme Tungjang and Captain David Mukrang have been appointed as the outfit’s general secretary and ‘chief of army staff’ respectively.
Despite being a Karbi, Songbijit was given the responsibility to lead the NDFB’s hardline faction, but in last year his power was curbed to a great extent. It has been questioned in NDFB circle as to how a Karbi could lead a Bodo armed outfit from the front.
Talking to The Sentinel on this issue, ADGP (Special Branch) Pallab Bhattacharjee said, “We have already received inputs that the outfit has been formed in Karbi Anglong and is being led by IK Songbijit,” adding, “When the KPLT entered into a ceasefire, other insurgent groups like ULFA and NSCN (Khaplang) desperately needed a foothold in the hill district. This new outfit formed by Songbijit has got the support of both ULFA and NSCN (Khaplang).”
Bhattacharjee further said, “Being a district tucked away in an interior geographical location, Karbi Anglong has always been a lucrative place for these armed underground outfits to set up their bases. We are on high alert and monitoring the situation round the clock as the Howraghat by-election is nearing.”
The newly launched Karbi outfit has vowed to fight for the ilieble right of self-determition of the Karbi people with new vigor.