Assam to Seek Early High Court Ruling on Grazing Lands Evictions
Assam to Seek Early High Court Ruling on Grazing Lands Evictions
Assam aims to fast-track a stay on evictions from grazing lands after clashes in Karbi Anglong, as the government seeks court clarity.
Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that the government will move the Gauhati High Court for an early order on its previous stay on eviction in Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve lands in West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts. The move comes after violence in West Karbi Anglong, where two people were killed and around 70 others, mostly police personnel, were injured earlier this week. A tripartite meeting among the state government, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and protestors demanding immediate eviction of encroachers concluded with a decision to seek an early judgment in the matter, as it is a sensitive issue and action will be taken in line with the court’s order. The KAAC, which had not filed its affidavit in the case for two years, will do so by January five, and Karbi representatives will submit a petition before the Court. The conflict centers on allegations of encroachment on VGR and PGR lands by Hindi-speaking communities in the tribal belts, with Karbi agitators pressing for eviction. A 15-day hunger strike had previously highlighted their demands, and protests intensified after police moved to arrest agitators early on Monday. The government has emphasized proceeding with due process, noting that the stay by the Gauhati High Court prevents immediate eviction but that actions will align with the Court’s directions. Experts say the move seeks to defuse tensions by clarifying legal avenues while addressing long-standing grievances on land encroachment.
