Diphu, February 3: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) Youth Front, in association with the Karbi Students' Association (KSA), continued their protest march for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, intensifying their campaign for immediate dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the long-pending demand for an Autonomous State under Article 244(A) of the Constitution.
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| Members of the ASDC Youth Front and Karbi Students’ Association march through Karbi Anglong, demanding immediate talks with the Centre on the Autonomous State issue. |
The march resumed from Longnit and later reached Manja Town, with participants receiving support from local residents along the route. The agitation, which commenced from Parokhua, has traversed several villages including Dokmoka, Phuloni, Bokolia, Silbheta, and Longnit before proceeding towards Manja.
Organisers said the protesters were compelled to use village roads after police restrictions prevented them from marching along the National Highway. Despite the change in route and the physical challenges posed by the prolonged march, participants continued the demonstration peacefully and maintained discipline throughout the journey.
Leaders of the ASDC Youth Front and the Karbi Students' Association said the protest reflects the long-standing aspirations of the people of Karbi Anglong for greater political autonomy. They maintained that the demand for an Autonomous State has remained unresolved for decades despite repeated appeals and urged the Central Government to initiate formal discussions without further delay.
According to the organisers, the objective of the march is to draw the attention of the Union Government and encourage constructive engagement through democratic means. They stressed that meaningful dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs is essential for addressing the constitutional and political aspirations of the people while ensuring lasting peace, stability, and inclusive development in the region.
The protest leaders also appealed to the government to recognise the significance of the issue and take proactive steps towards finding an amicable solution through consultation with all stakeholders.
As the march progresses, the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a peaceful movement and expressed hope that their continued demonstration would lead to positive engagement with the Centre. They stated that the campaign represents the collective voice of the people of Karbi Anglong, seeking a constitutional resolution to their long-standing demand through dialogue rather than confrontation.
