KATSSA expresses concern over immigrant influx after Assam eviction drive and urges introduction of Inner Line Permit for Karbi Anglong.
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DIPHU — In the aftermath of the Assam government’s eviction drive on encroached lands in Dhubri and Goalpara districts, the Karbi Anglong Territorial Social Security Association (KATSSA) has expressed concern over the possible influx of displaced persons into Karbi Anglong.
KATSSA expressed that illegal immigrants who have fled from the eviction sites might try to settle wherever they find space. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), the district administration, law and order authorities, and the general public should be aware of this to prevent the entry of any suspicious groups into the district.
Interacting with media persons at a press conference held at the KATSSA office in Manja on Monday, KATSSA president Semson Engti said thousands of these encroachers have become homeless with no place to stay, and many have moved in different directions to find safety.
Engti said that at this critical juncture, many illegal immigrants and illegal Bangladeshis have already entered Karbi Anglong freely and alleged that there is no check on it. He said that it is a matter of concern.
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Engti also stated that, although Karbi Anglong is not a state, the district is governed under the Sixth Schedule provisions of the Constitution of India, and an Inner Line Permit (ILP) needs to be introduced to check people from outside entering the district. A memorandum on this matter had been submitted earlier to the KAAC higher-ups, Engti stated.
He further stated that the indigenous people of the district have requested the KAAC authority and state government to carry out an eviction drive against settlers in the PGR/VGR area of Kheroni in West Karbi Anglong. But despite repeated demands, strikes, and demonstrations, it has not been done.
Whereas, on the other hand, the state government, in their own interest, quickly carried out eviction drives in other parts of the state, he said.
With unauthorised people entering and to prevent further entry of such persons, Engti urged the KAAC authority to have a discussion with the state government for the introduction of ILP for Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.