Karbi Students’ Association (KSA Bijoy Bey faction) today took out a rally in Diphu on Monday in protest against oil exploration being undertaken in forests of Karbi Anglong and demanding end to illegal mining, extension of eco sensitive zone in Karbi hills adjacent to Kaziranga National Park and scrapping of Clause 8 of Bodo Accord.
The agitators later submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the deputy commissioner of Karbi Anglong district.
The mass demonstration was held in front of Semson Sing Ingti Memorial Park. Members of various social organisations of the district also supported it. Social organisations leaders from Manipur including Youth Action Committee for Protection of Indigenous People, Centre for Research Advocacy, and Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights were present in the demonstration.
From Semson Sing Ingti Park a procession was taken out to DC office to submit the memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Modi. KSA president Bijoy Bey and general secretary Moniram Tokbi led the procession.
The memorandum said different oil companies had done seismic survey exploring presence of oil in areas like Dhansiri, Daldali, Dillai, Langmili and Borlangher in Karbi Anglong district. During the survey the oil companies failed to give prior notice to villagers and did not take their consent, the KSA said.
The KSA is also opposed to granting of ST (H) status to Bodos living in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills under Clause 8 of Bodo Accord by Central government.
The KSA also urged the State and Central government to immediately stop the illegal coal mining that is taking place within Diphu and Bokajan sub-divisions and to stop further extension of eco-sensitive zone into Karbi hills on the fringe of Kaziranga National Park. The proposed extension of eco-sensitive zone of KNP intends to cover an area of 791.91 sq. km. of the Singhason Hills of Karbi Anglong as informed by the KSA.