Assam: 36-hr Karbi Anglong bandh to demand immediate release of KSA President Simeon Rongphar

TNT News | Diphu, Dec 16, 2018

A total of 16 youth, students and women organizations including Karbi Students Association (KSA) of Simeon Rongphar faction have demanded the concerned authority for the unconditional release of KSA president, Simeon Rongphar, who was arrested on December 15 by police.

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To press for the same, a 36 hour Karbi Anglong bandh was declared from 5 am of Sunday December 16 to 5 pm of Monday December 17. This was informed during a press conference held at the office of KSA Simeon Rongphar faction here on Saturday, December 15.

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The arrest of KSA president Simeon Rongphar was made following an FIR lodged against him by Robiram Ronghang S/o Joysing Ronghang of Rongmongve, Ward No.5 of Diphu at Diphu police station for the use of unparliamentary words to Chief Executive Member (CEM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang during a public meeting on last December 11.

The 16 organisations including the KSA launched a long march to KAAC from December 8 to 11 demanding scraping of Clause 8 of BLT accord for granting of ST (H) status to Bodos of Karbi Anglong and NC Hills, granting of Autonomous state for the hill districts and to convene a tri-partite talks with the 16 oganisations on Clause 8.

On December 11, marchers reached Diphu and proceeded to KAAC, secretariat for submission of memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Chief Executive Member of KAAC. Later a public meeting was held at Semson Sing Ingti Memorial Park by the leaders.

Ronghang in his FIR mentioned that Rongphar has used unparliamentary words to CEM in his speech.

At Diphu police station, police told media persons that Rongphar was called to Police Station for a discussion and was arrested there. A case has been registered at Diphu Police Station against Rongphar Case No. 270 dated 13/12/2018 US 189/153/506/500/504/505 IPC and R/W 66F of information technology act, 2000.

KSA office the members of 16 organisations has convened a press conference demanding for the unconditional release of Rongphar.

KSA, general secretary, Thomson Rongpi told media persons, "16 students, youth and women organizations including KSA took up a long march to KAAC from December 8 to 11 demanding scraping of BLT Accord of Clause 8. On December 11 the marchers reached Diphu, the district headquarter and proceeded to KAAC Sectetariate to submitted their memorandum to PM, CM of Assam and CEM of KAAC demanding scraping of Clause 8 of BLT accord for granting of ST (H) status to Bodos of Karbi Anglong and NC Hills and granting of Autonomous state for the hill districts in Assam by State and Central government".

Moreover Rongpi also said "On that day (December 11) we proceeded to KAAC for submission of memorandum. We did not take bombs or any weapons and what is the reason of arresting our president Simeon Rongphar. By arresting our president, CEM Tuliram Ronghang has exposed himself of being anti-Autonomous State and in support to implementation of Clause 8.," Rongpi said.

"We demand for unconditional release of our president Simeon Rongphar," Rongpi said.