Karbi and Rengma tribes lived like close family members in peace and harmony since ages. Exchanging culture and tradition, intermarriages among the two tribes have been common and encouraged. Rengmas and Karbis share the closest affinity with each other in terms of attitude, nature, culture, common clan, food habit, way of living, etc. The two tribes are more than brothers who were together in times of happiness and sorrow. Oral history of the Karbis tells a ‘taboo’ for the Karbi to wage any kind of war on their Rengma brethren corroborated by the Rengma oral history too.
People’s unified struggles have had significant achievements like the formation of the North Cachar Hills, Mikir Hills, MoU (1995), MoS (2011), MoS (2012) and which always had to bear the brunt of violence and hatred orchestrated by communal agents of the ruling Congress.
The love for one another and unity among the Rengmas and Karbis is posing a threat to people who sit behind a curtain. Unity among tribes spells danger and doom for these communal agents. Engineering hatred and violence among tribes fits the designs of anti-tribal, and forces opposed to unity of the people. As an obvious result, the Rengmas and Karbis have fallen victims of these forces promoted and protected by the corrupt and communal leadership of the ruling power. And not surprisingly, the state government has dared not investigate into the series of clashes heaped on Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao since 2003.
It’s time that people of Karbi Anglong realize this agenda of the rulers to divide Rengmas and Karbis permanently and serve the narrow interest of forces which are opposed to statehood demand. What we need to do is to identify, isolate and punish the ‘instigating agents’ in each community for creating the current situation. Government machineries cannot protect us, but people can provide the best defense. We must immediately take off the veneer of ‘blind cloth’ from our eyes, heart and mind and communicate among ourselves. People to people communication at the grass-root level can ensure understanding and building of peace.
Some media houses have only played insensible roles during the crisis. “Rengma youths beat up Karbi youths….”, “Karbi people attack Rengma….” are such news contents we see in some newspapers.
‘Naga Rengma Hill Protection Force’ (NRHPF) and ‘Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers’ (KPLT) must first realize that they are brothers and must not work as agents of people’s enemy. They must realize that no Rengma or Karbi support gun culture and violence and should denounce the path of violence and join the democratic mainstream.
The Congress rulers in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and Government of Assam have failed us miserably in all fronts. During the last 12 years of Congress rule, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao have witnessed several bloody ethnic conflicts. Corruptions have halted all development works. Congress has solidified only as a dynastic party. The lack of leadership, and self-centred attitude have made the people of the twin hill districts suffer with untold miseries.
Rengma brethren were denied representation in the KAAC in the last more than 12 years. The grievances of the Rengmas or Karbis are very real under Nilip Constituency. But the present KAAC has cared a little for any kind of development, as road, education or health care facilities in the Rengma region is none to be seen.
The Hill Youth Democratic Front (HYDF) is deeply saddened by the violence where scores of innocent persons of both communities have been affected including many civilians killed and several houses torched and property lost. The incidents of violence shall remain a dark chapter in the history of Karbi Anglong.
The HYDF vehemently condemns the violence and condemn the government’s inability to maintain and promote peace and harmony. HYDF therefore appeals for good senses to prevail which only can ensure security. The government and KAAC authority must ensure security to the effected people while preventing human rights abuses such as random arrests, torture and detention of innocent public.
The HYDF however strongly demands adequate compensation to the bereaved families and loss of properties. HYDF calls for high level judicial inquiry by a retired judge ofa High Court orSupreme Court into the current episode on the backdrop of recurrent clashes in the district since 2003. The HYDF appeals to all concerned to exercise restraint in their actions and words to restore and promote peaceful atmosphere.
The HYDF has held a ’24 Hour Fasting on the 4th-5th January, 2014 appealing for Peace, Harmony and Strengthening of Brotherhood’ and shall hold such program the situation continues to remain violent.
(On behalf of the HYDF, Longkiri Timung, President, HYDF, Diphu, Karbi Anglong)
~Extract from Naga Blog facebook group posted by Longkiri Timung
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