Assam CM outlines steps to resolve VGR–PGR land issue in Karbi Anglong

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that the long-pending issue related to Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) land in Karbi Anglong remains unresolved as the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has not yet submitted its affidavit before the Gauhati High Court.

Addressing the matter, the Chief Minister said the KAAC has been directed to file its affidavit in the High Court by January 5. He added that representatives of the Karbi community will also be made parties to the case and will place their documents before the court. The state government, he said, will request the High Court to deliver an expedited verdict to bring clarity and resolution to the issue.

Referring to administrative steps on the ground, the Chief Minister announced that in Kheroni, all government offices currently situated on VGR and PGR land will be relocated outside the reserve areas. He further stated that nearly 8,000 bighas of vacant VGR–PGR land in Kheroni will be fenced by the Council and taken up for afforestation to prevent future encroachment.

Expressing condolences over the death of a youth during the recent unrest in Kheroni, the Chief Minister said the bereaved family will be provided one government job by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, while the state government will extend additional financial assistance of ₹10 lakh.

The Chief Minister also announced strict action against unauthorised commercial activities, stating that all commercial licences issued within VGR–PGR areas will be cancelled. He added that eviction drives will not be limited to VGR–PGR land alone, and that the Council will carry out evictions on all government land across Karbi Anglong.

A second review meeting on the issue is scheduled to be held on January 17, the Chief Minister said.

Clarifying the nature of the recent incident in Karbi Anglong, the Chief Minister stressed that it was not a clash between two communities, but the outcome of a long-standing and unresolved land issue. He reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the matter through legal, administrative, and consultative measures while maintaining peace and order in the region.

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