Guwahati: Congress Legislature Party leader and Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Friday blamed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang and what he termed the state government’s administrative failure for the recent violence in Karbi Anglong.
Addressing a press conference here, Saikia said the unrest did not erupt suddenly but stemmed from prolonged negligence and political handling by the government. He alleged that two people lost their lives due to what he described as politically motivated actions and demanded protection of the constitutional spirit of Sixth Schedule areas.
“The violence in Karbi Anglong is the result of sustained administrative failure. It did not happen overnight. The sanctity and character of Sixth Schedule areas must be safeguarded,” Saikia said.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s assertion that eviction drives on Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands could not proceed due to court orders, Saikia claimed that contempt petitions have already been filed against the state government in both the Gauhati High Court and the Supreme Court.
He cited the Kachutoli eviction drive as an example, alleging that contempt proceedings were initiated after the government violated judicial directives. “Whenever the government ignores court or Supreme Court orders, contempt cases follow. The government must then explain why it defied those directions,” he said.
Saikia further alleged that the state violated court orders even in Sixth Schedule areas by allotting land to corporate entities, including the Adani and Ambani groups. “This shows the government disregards judicial authority whenever it suits its political interests,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, the Assam government is scheduled to hold a tripartite meeting later in the day involving representatives of the state government, the KAAC and protesting groups to address the situation in Karbi Anglong.