A Correspondent, West Karbi Anglong, Kheroni: A wave of political unrest swept through Karbi Anglong today as leaders and members of the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), All Party Hills Leaders’ Conference (APHLC), and Karbi Anglong Rong Asar Amei (KRAA) staged a fiery demonstration in Diphu, burning an effigy of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang. The protest was held in response to the alleged extension of panchayat elections from the plain districts of Nagaon, Morigaon, and Golaghat into the autonomous district of Karbi Anglong — a move the demonstrators condemned as a direct violation of the region’s constitutional autonomy. Protestors accused the Assam government and local authorities of infringing upon Karbi Anglong’s jurisdiction, protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The demonstrators demanded the immediate withdrawal of all electoral activities originating from the plains within the boundaries of the autonomous district. The protest also drew attention to a separate but related controversy involving the reported encroachment by the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections into Karbi Anglong’s territory, further stoking fears of diminishing territorial integrity. Anglong Engti Kathar, a prominent figure in the movement, took to social media to denounce the developments. “This is an act of attacking the integrity of Karbi Anglong and undermining the autonomy of KAAC,” Kathar wrote. He went on to strongly criticize the KAAC leadership, stating, “It is very unfortunate to witness that KAAC CEM & team remained mute spectators running away from their responsibility in this hard time, leaving their own people helpless and hopeless.” Today’s protest reflects a growing frustration among the hill district’s residents over what they perceive as systemic neglect and administrative overreach. The KSA, APHLC, and KRAA have jointly urged the state government and KAAC leadership to take immediate corrective measures to uphold the region’s autonomy and prevent further intrusions. As the situation continues to evolve, calls for accountability and greater protection of Sixth Schedule provisions are likely to intensify in the days ahead.
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