14/12/2025
Press Statement
United Karbi Youth Association (UKYA)
Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam
Date: December 14, 2025
Urgent Appeal for Protection of Tribal Lands and Rights in West Karbi Anglong
The United Karbi Youth Association (UKYA) strongly condemns the continued inaction of the concerned authorities in addressing the alarming influx of illegal settlers and encroachers in the sensitive areas of West Karbi Anglong, particularly in Phelangpi village and surrounding grazing reserves.
For over a week now, our brothers and sisters in Phelangpi have been engaged in a peaceful, indefinite hunger strike to highlight the grave threat posed by unauthorized settlements on Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) lands. These lands are vital for the sustenance, nature safeguard, identity of the indigenous Karbi community. The escalating numbers of intruders, including alleged illegal immigrants from outside the state, violate the spirit and provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which exists to safeguard tribal lands from external encroachment and ensure autonomous governance for our people.
Despite repeated appeals and democratic protests, neither the Assam Government nor the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has provided any concrete response or initiated meaningful eviction drives in our district. This silence and delay are deeply distressing, especially as participants in the hunger strike are now in critical health conditions, risking their lives for the cause of jati, mati, bheti (community, land, and homeland).
We urge the Hon'ble Governor of Assam, in his constitutional role as guardian of Sixth Schedule areas, to intervene immediately and direct swift action to restore law and order. Political or external pressures must not override the fundamental rights and dignity of indigenous tribes. The government must uphold its duty to protect tribal lands without discrimination or delay.
The UKYA stands firmly with the protesting citizens of West Karbi Anglong. We call upon all indigenous people, student bodies, and civil society organizations to unite in this struggle for justice. If the authorities continue to neglect their responsibilities, the people have a moral duty to defend their ancestral lands and evict illegal encroachments through lawful and collective means.
We demand:
1. Immediate eviction of all illegal settlers from VGR, PGR, and other protected lands in West Karbi Anglong.
2. Strict enforcement of Sixth Schedule provisions to prevent further influx.
3. Urgent medical aid and dialogue with hunger strikers to resolve the crisis peacefully.
4. A time-bound action plan from the state government and KAAC to address encroachments district-wide.
The UKYA remains committed to peaceful, democratic agitation but warns that prolonged injustice may force stronger measures to preserve our tribal heritage and peace in the region.
For peace, justice, and indigenous rights.
Issued by
President
United Karbi Youth Association (UKYA)
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