Karbi Groups Condems Govt Over Selective Evictions in Assam

Karbi Anglong: Two Karbi Anglong-based organisations the Karbi Anglong Territorial Social Security Association (KATSSA) and the Karbi Student and Youth Council (KSYC) have criticised the Assam government for allegedly carrying out “selective” eviction drives that ignore the plight of tribal land in Karbi Anglong.

At a joint press conference held at the Guwahati Press Club, leaders of both groups supported the ongoing state-wide evictions but questioned why no similar action has been taken in their district  particularly on encroachments of Permanent Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands.

“We support the government’s eviction policy, but why is Karbi Anglong left out? If protecting indigenous land is the aim, then why ignore illegal settlements by outsiders on our PGR and VGR lands?” asked Litsong Ronphar, a KATSSA representative.

The organisations alleged that the government is using eviction as a political tool, especially ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. “Before elections, tribal rights become a promise. After elections, those promises vanish,” Ronphar added.

Both KATSSA and KSYC also alleged that eviction drives appear to target minority communities while non-indigenous settlers in tribal lands are allowed to stay undisturbed. They called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take immediate action in Karbi Anglong to prove that the government’s intentions are fair and not politically motivated.

“If the goal is truly to reclaim tribal land, then Karbi Anglong must be included. Otherwise, it’s clear that corporate interests are being prioritised over indigenous rights,” said a KSYC member.

The two groups warned that continued inaction could lead to further alienation of Karbi voices from the political mainstream. They demanded urgent eviction of all illegal occupants from PGR and VGR lands in Karbi Anglong, asserting that the land belongs to the indigenous people.