GUWAHATI, Dec 6- The CPI-ML leader and the MP from Diphu, Dr Jayanta Rongpi today warned of backlash from Karbis against Kukis unless the government succeeds in controlling the marauding Kuki militants in the violence-hit Karbi Anglong. Talking to newsmen here Dr Rongpi said, ?The situation in Karbi Anglong which is dogged by conflict between the UPDS and KRA outfits, is much more grave than what appears on the surface.?
He expressed concern over the failure of the State government to control the violence which erupted way back on November 2 last, the CPI-ML leader demanded immediate action to flush out Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) militants and disbanding of the outfit in the State. He also alleged a conspiracy by the State in engineering Kuki-Karbi clashes to derail the popular movement for autonomous State for Karbis in the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar hills.
The MP who has also faxed a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi demanding visit of a Parliamentary team to assess the situation in the hill district, rubbished the State Chief Minister?s comment that policing has been an extremely difficult proposition in the district known for difficult terrain and lack of surface communication infrastructure.
?The State government just can?t shirk its responsibility to protect the lives and property of tribal villagers by blaming it on the terrain and lack of communication,? Dr Rongpi said. In sharp contrast to the State government?s claim of sending additional companies of forces to the violence-hit district, the CPI-ML leader alleged that security forces were no where to be seen in actual troubled spots in the district.
?As the State police and paramilitary forces have failed miserably to contain the marauding Kuki militants, the Karbi youths and villagers are now forced to think of making arrangement for their own security against militants, which will not augur well for the situation,? he warned. According to the assessment of the CPI-ML and its allies, ASDC(P), KSA and KNCA, there are about 15,000 Kukis in the hill districts. Out of those only 2000 are indigenous Kukis living in Hamren area, the rest infiltrated from neighbouring States.
The UPDS and KRA conflict dates back to the year 2000 when Kuki militants started demanding money from Karbi villagers in remote areas of the district. The CPI-ML and its allies in Karbi Anglong in their memorandum to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi demanded rejection of Kukis demand for an autonomous council in Karbi Anglong areas. The government has been urged to provide five lakh rupees each to families of those killed in the current spell of violence besides covering the displaced victims who has failed to harvest their crop, under Annapurna scheme to provide free rice till the next harvesting season.