President of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Lurinjyoti Gogoi, has expressed deep concern over the continuing unrest in West Karbi Anglong, calling the situation “extremely worrying” and avoidable if timely steps had been taken by the government.
Speaking on the issue, Gogoi said the protests and tension in the area are the result of long-pending problems related to land rights and alleged encroachments. According to him, these issues have been raised repeatedly in the past, but the state government failed to address them at the right time.
“The Karbi people are raising their voices for their legitimate rights. These are not new demands. The government should have discussed and resolved these matters much earlier,” Gogoi said. He recalled that concerns over land encroachment in Karbi Anglong had been flagged by him and several others on multiple occasions, but no serious effort was made to find a lasting solution. 
The AJP president strongly criticised the BJP-led state government, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that Karbi Anglong has been neglected despite its importance. He also targeted the leadership of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), including its Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, accusing them of failing to protect the interests of the local people.
“Karbi Anglong has been treated like an ATM. The total fault lies with the government. They have failed to take responsibility for the Karbi people and their future,” Gogoi stated.
He further pointed out that lapses in intelligence inputs and police inaction played a major role in allowing the situation to spiral out of control. According to him, early warning signs were ignored, and preventive measures were not taken when they were most needed. This, he said, resulted in anger on the ground turning into unrest.
Commenting on the Chief Minister’s proposal to hold discussions on January 2, Gogoi said the move has come too late. He urged the government to immediately sit with community leaders, student bodies, and local representatives to defuse tension and rebuild trust.
“Waiting for another date will not help. The government must engage with the people now. Dialogue should not be delayed when the situation is already sensitive,” he said.
Gogoi also underlined the deep emotional and cultural link between the Karbi people and their land. He warned that land issues are not just administrative matters but are directly connected to identity and survival.
“The Karbi people’s identity and rights are tied to their land. If we fail to protect the land, we risk losing our Jaati. This is why the issue is so serious,” he said.
The AJP president appealed for calm from all sides and stressed the need for concrete steps rather than statements. He said peace can only be maintained if the government shows sincerity, listens to the people, and takes firm action to resolve the root causes of the unrest.
