Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) will cancel commercial licenses on Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands. This decision follows recent violence in West Karbi Anglong stemming from tensions between the Karbi and Bihari communities over land encroachment. The Chief Minister has stressed the importance of resolving all issues amicably and restoring peace.

The move to cancel licenses is part of a broader effort to address the longstanding conflict over land rights in the Karbi Anglong region. These grazing lands are protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which grants autonomous councils in tribal areas, such as Karbi Anglong, the authority over land allocation and restricts land transfers to non-tribals. The Karbi community views the encroachment on VGR and PGR lands as a threat to their ancestral lands, identity, and livelihoods. Conversely, some Hindi-speaking communities seek de-reservation of these lands to obtain secure land titles.

In addition to canceling commercial licenses, the government has pledged to take further action, including providing compensation and a job to the next of kin of a protestor who died. The KAAC will also undertake fencing and afforestation initiatives to prevent future encroachments on approximately 8,000 bighas of vacant grazing lands. Furthermore, all government offices located on VGR and PGR lands will be relocated. The KAAC will also carry out eviction drives to clear encroached land belonging to various departments in the two districts.

The government is also seeking an early ruling from the Gauhati High Court regarding the stay order on evictions in grazing lands. Chief Minister Sarma acknowledged the High Court stay, stating that the rights of people settled in PGR and VGR lands will need to be discussed in court. He emphasized that the government cannot disregard the law and the court, and all previous eviction drives were carried out only after legal battles and court approval.

The recent violence in Kheroni resulted in casualties and injuries, with tensions escalating due to demands for eviction of alleged illegal settlers from VGR and PGR lands. The Chief Minister has appealed for peace and urged all parties to refrain from violence. While acknowledging the Karbi community's demands, he stressed the importance of adhering to the law and court orders.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for around January 17 to continue discussions and work towards a resolution. The government hopes that the High Court will provide a favorable ruling by then. The Chief Minister has expressed optimism that the issues can be resolved amicably through face-to-face discussions and by addressing any misunderstandings. The government aims to restore peace and ensure that all actions are taken in accordance with the law.