Conflict-ridden

A scuffle between two communities on February 15 over land settlement issues in West Karbi Anglong district left seven people injured, leading to the arrest of 17 individuals. According to media reports, the incident, which unfolded on Thursday, has brought to light long-standing tensions between Hindi-speaking people from Bihar, residing in the Kheroni and Dongkamokam areas of the district, and the local population. In August 2015, Karbi Anglong was bifurcated to create a new West Karbi Anglong District under Hamren while the other is under Diphu headquarter. Of the total geographical area of 10,434 sq. km, Karbi Anglong district has 7399 sq kilometres and West Karbi Anglong has 3035 sq kilometers. The total population of Karbi Anglong autonomous Council(KAAC) is around 10,99,200 of which Karbis comprise of around 35% of the population and the remaining being non-Karbi indigenous Rengma, Dimasa, Bengali, Assamese, Adivasis, Nepalis etc. The Karbis are the major tribe in Karbi Anglong and the Dimasas hold the majority in Dima Hasao. The crux of the conflict between the Karbis and Bihari migrant lies in the demand for settlement rights in Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) by the Hindi-speaking community. This demand has allegedly sparked resentment among the local population, leading to protests by various organizations, including the Autonomous State Demand Committee and the Karbi Students Association. In a similar manner most of the conflicts in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has been linked with land settlement. It could also be linked with traditional boundary claims as with regard to Karbis and Rengma Nagas, or Karbis and Dimasas etc. Karbi Anglong has a history of ethnic conflict with militancy adding to the strain on the tenuous relationship between indigenous tribals and other communities. Though the geographical space is very large and the population of different tribes is relatively small, yet the economic space remains narrow and the communities have to compete within this narrow space, not only among themselves but also with migrants from the plains and other states. Although at present, they are found to inhabit in the Karbi Anglong District, nevertheless, some Karbi inhabited pockets are found in the North Cachar Hills, Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon and Sonitpur Districts also. Besides the original Karbi Tribes, there are also a large number of other tribal communities residing in the district. Dimasas in Dhansiri / Mohendijua area. Other communities include- Bodos in Langhin area; Kuki / Thadou / Hmar Tribes in Singhason and Koilamati areas; Tiwas in the areas bordering Nagaon and Morigaon District; Garos in Hamren Sub-division; Man-tai speaking community inhabiting in Bokajan Sub-Division; some Khasi tribes inhabiting in areas adjoining Meghalaya mostly in Hamren Sub-Division; some Chakmas mostly in Borlangphar area and Rengma Nagas in Nilip Block area. The control over land and resources on ethnic grounds are some of the causes that have exacerbated the conflict. Since than the two Districts has witnessed Dimasa-Hmar conflict in 2003, Karbi-Kuki conflict in 2004, Adivasi -Bihari conflict in early part of 2005, Zemi and the Dimasa in 2009 then Karbi-Rengma conflict in 2014 and presently Karbi-Bihari conflict. All these suggest that the conflict over land rights over a vast tract of land over where migrant population are more than the indigenous tribes; is not likely to simmer down. The district council, the leaders of all communities and the state government have to join hands to ensure peace for progress and prosperity.