Karbi Anglong (Assam), 30 December (HS): The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has announced a major drive to free reserved government land in the hill district, issuing eviction notices to all illegal occupants on Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land.

KAAC Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang said the eviction notices would be served from today, giving encroachers 15 days to vacate the land voluntarily. He warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would invite strict eviction action by the Council.

The decision follows a tripartite meeting held on December 26 involving the state government, the Autonomous Council and local agitators, where consensus was reached on reclaiming government land in Karbi Anglong.

While 339 families in Kheroni and North Borbil areas have been temporarily exempted, the Council clarified that action would be taken against all other illegal settlements. It was also announced that trade licences and commercial permissions of business establishments operating on PGR land would be cancelled.

Additionally, the administration is planning an eviction drive against nearly 1,000 families residing on Irrigation Department land at Bokajan after the Magh Bihu festival. The move comes amid sustained protests and demands for protection of land in the Karbi hill areas.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash