Karbi Anglong still continues to reel under tension since the attack on Rengma Nagas by Karbi militants in the Chokihola area on December 27.
In fresh incident of violence, five abandoned houses belonging to the Rengma community were torched by suspected Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KPLT) around 5 a.m. in Borlangso, around 20 kilometres from Chokihola police station.
As reported, a group of Rengma Nagas exchanged fire with KPLT and when CRPF intervened, the Naga group fled from their positions but the exchange of fire continued between CRPF and KPLT. However, there was no report of any causality on either side.
Three relief camps have been operating in three different areas where around one thousand people could be accommodated. However, Rengma Naga campers said out of three thousand Rengmas in the affected area, only around 300 people could reach the relief camps and most of other six villages have taken shelter in nearby forested areas.
According to official information, three companies of additional police forces have been dispatched and a detachment of Indian army has also begun operation against the militants.
On Saturday, a delegation of political leaders including Bokajan MLA, K. Engti, chief executive member KAAC Tuliram Ronghang and three KAAC executive members had to flee from a relief camp located near Chokihola police station. Around 300 Karbis alleged that Assam police was “prejudiced” and were siding with Rengma Nagas. Violence in the areas has been widely condemned by BJP, Congress and KPLT under cease-fire.
KA Baptist Convention appeals against ‘false’ report
Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention (KABC), Diphu appealed to the people of Karbi Anglong district and Nagaland to apply restraint and remain alert to “false media propaganda” and agencies of divisive forces within the district and the state.
In a statement, KABC strongly condemned a news report by a Dimapur daily published on Sunday which said that “Quit Notice” was served on Rengmas living in Diphu. Stating that the report was filed without proper verification, KABC said the report was “vague and absurd” and was “highly motivated.” Refuting the report, KABC said no such “Quit Notice” was served in this district and appealed all for peace.
KABC reiterated that it was committed to fight against false media propaganda in the interest of peaceful co-existence of all tribes living in Karbi Anglong and requested he district administration that the perpetrators of “such crime” be booked as per law and brought to justice.
The Baptist convention reminded that Karbis and the Rengmas have regarded as the closest tribes, different from any relationship with any other tribes in the hill districts of Assam. They have lived together since time immemorial like brothers. Inter-marriage was common from pre-historic till today and pointed out that many Rengmas speak fluent Karbi besides having Rengma equivalent Karbi clan names.
“There is no history of animosity between these two tribes”, asserted KABC and further said that in the recent months, the bond between the Rengmas and the Karbis has been threatened. “All conscious citizens must realize that the ethnic conflict between the two communities is caused by certain divisive forces”, said KABC.