Diphu : Diphu town, the headquarters of Karbi Anglong district, witnessed a massive protest yesterday as thousands of Karbi Student Association activists took to the streets against the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), accusing it of giving tribal land to non tribal community people.

The demonstration, led by the Karbi Student Association, drew widespread participation from local residents and political group.The protest march began at Birla and culminated at the office of the Assistant Revenue Officer, where demonstrators raised strong slogans.

The anger was directed at officials of the Land and Revenue department, with protesters alleging that the Sixth Schedule provisions safeguarding tribal rights were being undermined. The agitators claimed that thousands of bighas of land protected under the Sixth Schedule are being sold illegally to non-tribal people jeopardizing the cultural and economic identity of the hill communities.

The protest highlighted mounting discontent among local communities, who demand strict protection of their constitutional rights and an immediate halt to land transfers in favor of corporate groups.

On the flip side the protestors also condemned the statement of a self styled Bengali student leader, Dipak Dey. Allegedly Dipak Dey came to Howraghat locality of Karbi Anglong recently to attend a meeting organized by Bengali Samaj, a local social organization of Howraghat.

After the meeting he made some derogatory remarks against Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Dey, who was invited to that meeting by the Bengali Samaj also provided him space to speak before the media.

Amid the public resentment, till now the organizers of the meeting or Dipak Dey have apologized for the uncalled for comments against the Chief Executive Member.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally