‘Assam Government must clarify its position’

While extending my appreciation to the peace effort initiated by various civil societies of Karbi Anglong district of Assam and sharing my sorrow with the families of all the nine killed at pachaspura, Dimapur, recovered on 3rd January 2014. I would like to supplement to the views expressed by George Rongpi, president, All India Karbi National Assembly (AIKNA) in daily papers dated 6th January 2014.

First of all, it must be noted that JACAS chief advisor, J.I. Kathar (IAS retd.) stated in Nagaland Post dated 21- 12-2013 accused the Assam government agencies trying to eliminate the hill tribes from Karbi Anglong. He told the media that, "they want to kill all the Karbis, which have got five lakhs population and after which they will finish the other tribes," The Assam government must clarify its position and let the people know whether the statements given by IAS officer retired are relevant and have truth in it.

Let us agree with George Rongpi's statements which termed the killing and piling of nine persons as heinous crime and repugnant to all norms of civilized human behavior and referred to it as Taliban style of execution. Then what about kidnapping and killing of innocent boy, Nzankheng Rengma of Guzenlanyu gaon (Khawani) by KPLT in November, which led to holding of John Rogphar and Deven Tisso involved in killing with KPLT. But they were released and not killed. What about the killing of four Rengmas including three women on 27th December at Guzenlanyu village (Khawani) and recovery of dead bodies of two Rengma women at Lolashunyu (Shati gaon), Chokihola on 29th December 2013.That too after various civil societies made peace and assured by KPLT itself. They were cut with machetes and charred by Karbi villagers after shot by KPLT. They burnt down the Rengma houses and granaries to ashes, killed domestic animals and cut down all plants and trees in farms wherever they went. What style of killing human beings and animals and burning down of houses and destruction of agri-horti-farms was that? Was that KPLT style of execution?

It must be noted that the NRHPF killed nine people because of their involvement in arms supply to KPLT whose role is to wipe out the Rengmas and non-Karbis in order to achieve Karbi statehood in Rengma Hills. If the two outfits are compared, the KPLT had shot and killed women and children, burnt houses and destroyed live stocks and properties. The NHRPF had killed three KPLT cadres and nine illegal arms suppliers and not innocent persons. Whereas the seven Rengmas killed including five women by KPLT were all innocent farmers who sweated hard for livelihood.

The KPLT and the Karbi villagers had already declared war against the unaware Rengmas when they suddenly attacked Guzenlanyu village and killed four people including three women. They killed two more women and continued burning down of houses for a week.

Various Karbi social organizations are quick to find out the faults of Rengmas and cover up their misdeeds because they are politically and financially more powerful. And it is true that Rengmas are helpless and voiceless and many crimes and inhumanly treatment against them went unreported. It is also true that the Rengmas have been denied the right to life with basic human needs and human dignity for over sixty years which is a gross human rights violation in the garb of promoting the welfare of indigenous tribal people under the 6th Schedule of the constitution of India. AIKNA was silent when KPLT served ultimatum to the Rengmas in June 2013 to surrender the NRHPF within a month or all the Rengmas would be killed and that led to exodus of Rengma villagers. KPLT imposed economic blockade and served ultimatum again to Rengmas as routine work in December ahead of Christmas to surrender NRHPF within three days or they would not be allowed to cultivate from the New Year onward and that the Karbis were prepared civil war with the Rengmas. Why did KPLT serve ultimatum to the Rengma villagers again and again to surrender the NRHPF and not directly to NRHPF to surrender? How can unarmed Rengma villagers catch armed cadres to surrender? The Karbi militants in various forms from KNV and UPDS to KPLT had been torturing the Rengmas for over twenty years prohibiting them from selling their oranges and looting their edible items and extorting taxes from them. KPLT desires the Rengmas to be defenseless and abhors the NRHPF coming into existence and protecting their people from all kinds of dangers from Karbi militants.

AIKNA stated RNPC's political agenda for creation of Rengma Hills autonomous district for Rengmas and non-Karbis cannot be tolerated and termed the statements as provocative and offensive. Then what about the demand of the Karbi state to be placed at Rengma Hills which became a part of Naga Hills later. Was that tolerable and not provocative? Karbis have no legitimate right to do so and for which the Assam Government and centre government will never grant Karbi state in Rengma homeland.

George Rongpi, in his press release dated 8th January stated that ASDC gave ticket to Resulo Rengma to contest from Lumbajon constituency where there are only a few hundreds of Rengma voters. Thanks to the ASDC and the Karbis for electing him. But, the ASDC had also used him for its benefit and that is nothing compared to the NOC given by the Rengmas in 1951 for creation of united autonomous district of Mikirs, Rengmas and Dimasas and the council budget received for the development and all the opportunities enjoyed by the KAAC and Karbis. The Mikir leaders betrayed the Rengmas and removed the nomenclature Rengma Hills. The Rengmas, the sons of the soil, have been denied even the least human basic needs in their homeland.

George stated that the total number of Rengma population is more than 18,000 but the total number of voters is about 4000 only. If that is the case then the Rengmas have been badly deprived of their political right as the voters comprise about 23% only of the total population when it must be at least 70%. George stated that Karbis are majority in the Rengma inhabited areas. Who gave Karbis land? From whom they took permission to stay there in Rengma traditional land? The KAAC does not have any land as Rengmas have not allotted any land to it, The KAAC has been issuing land pans to Karbis in violation of the law. Karbis population is immensely increasing from zero population over the years because KAAC is importing them from East Khasi Hills, Arunachal Pradesh and Tezpur, Morigaon, Sibsagar, Darrang and other districts of Assam to fill up vacant land in Rengma Hills with autonomous budget while Rengma villagers are deserting their villages for employment and facilities. The Karbis constitute about 26% population and the rest 28 non-karbi communities in the district comprising Hamrem and Diphu subdivisions with Nagaon district between them. So the winning or losing election is not decided by the Karbis and Rengmas alone but all the voters comprising other non karbi communities. The total population in Karbi Anglong is about nine lakhs and fifty thousand, It is astonishing that no MLA or MAC seat has been reserved for the sons of the soil, the Rengmas and the migrant Karbis are contesting everywhere with money power. This is how the Rengmas have been very badly exploited by the KAAC in various ways.

George stated that K. Solomon and friends leaders should meet KAPF and discuss. But, Political decision can be given only by the government. As far as making peace is concerned the AIKNA and KAPF cannot guarantee that KPLT will not make a mockery of peace again as it recently did, nor can they guarantee the lives of Rengma villagers as human lives are more valuable than peace resolution. Because, the KPLT is an unpredictable underground outfit.

The story revealed to Hills Commissioner by KAPF published in daily papers on 8th January 2014 is one sided and cannot be fully relied on unless the story from other side in the Rengma side is presented.

The KAAC and the Karbis under Diphu subdivision must understand that they are in the Rengma traditional land and they have more than sufficient population here. Therefore, they must stop importing their people and occupying land in Rengma hills but give the Rengmas the opportunities to enjoy their rights being deprived for over six decades if ever they want peace in the real sense. Because, the nomenclature Rengma Hills will be restored. The Rengma Hills belongs to the Nagas because the Rengmas are Nagas. Prolong attempt of KAAC and Karbi militants to wipe out the Rengma Naps will not be successful. Because Karbis too cannot live here if Rengmas cannot. Therefore, the legitimate land rights of the Rengmas must be given due honor for peaceful co existence.