[dropcap]A [/dropcap]write up in the Reader’s Mirror Views and Reviews under the caption- “Legitimate Land Rights of the Rengmas must be given for peaceful co-existence”, purported to have been written by K. Thong, Rengma Hills Support Centre (RHAC), Karbi Anglong, Assam, published in your esteemed daily The Eastern Mirror dated January 10, 2014, has come to the notice of the All India Karbi National Assembly (AIKNA). Mr K. Thong has questioned as to why AIKNA has not bothered about the killing of four Rengmas on 27th December, 2013, at Khowani and recovery of the dead bodied of two Rengma women on 29th December, 2013, in this connection we re-iterated that AIKNA and all Karbi people condemn the killings and arson in Rengma villages in Karbi Anglong. AIKNA has been actively involved to bring peace since the beginning of the violence
On June 2013, created by extremist groups in Rengma – Karbi dominated area in Chokihala. Our stand on NIA/ CBI inquiry regarding the past and present violence is that the Assam Govt. must order CBI enquiry into all the tribal clashes since 2003 in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao district including the killings of the Rengmas which began on December 27, 2013 in Chokihola area, so our demand has not been one-sided or only for the Karbis.Regarding of the population of the Rengmas in Karbi Anglong and numbers of voters, we would like to re-iterate that we had only quoted from the version of the Rengma leaders in Karbi Anglong that there are 18, 000 Rengmas in this district. If there are 18,000 or more of Rengmas in Karbi Anglong it’s a good sign and also shows that the Rengmas are living prosperously in Karbi Anglong.
Regarding the statement of RNPC and K.Thong (RHSC) on Mikir Hills, Rengma Hills or the ‘sons of the soil’, AIKNA would like to say that we regard the Rengmas, Dimasas, Kukis, Garos, Khasis, and all scheduled tribes or indigenous inhabitant living in Karbi Anglong as our own. We don’t count them as ‘immigrants’: but they are the indigenous inhabitants of Karbi Anglong and they have equal rights like Karbis. It is not the time to make allegations and counter allegations based on myopic view of historical records rather we should give all our efforts for peace and unity among all tribes living in Karbi Anglong for our future generation. A minority tribes like Karbis, Rengmas and other tribes in Karbi Anglong need to realize to stand together for their survival from political and economic suppression and exploitation.
We’d like to make mention of the army operations in Karbi Anglong and also of the arrests already been made by the police which has also been reported in the newspapers of state. AIKNA is therefore, thankful for the government for arresting guilty KPLT. We demand the Government of India and Government of Assam to flush out all the remaining extremist elements from Karbi Anglong as it is responsible for hampering peace and development in the district of Karbi Anglong. We also like to reiterate our demand and support for judicial enquiry for the killings that occurred in Chokihola and also for equal compensation for the bereaved Rengma families of Karbi Anglong.
AIKNA stand for peace and unity for all time, so if there is any forms of atrocities on any community or inhabitants; we are always ready to help them. More importantly, we would like to appeal to all our tribal brothers not to fall into the hands of the tribal enemies.
George Rongpi
President
All India Karbi National Assembly
Diphu, Karbi Anglong.
