The Karbi community in Assam’s hill districts is celebrating the Rongker Karkli Festival, 2026, amidst significant legal developments concerning land rights in the region. This two-day post-harvest festival, held in Karbi Anglong and surrounding areas, is a major cultural event that involves rituals, traditional dances, ceremonies, and community feasts, emphasizing the community’s rich heritage and their prayers for protection, agricultural success, and collective well-being. Concurrently, on January 5, key legal proceedings concerning land rights will take place in the Gauhati High Court. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and Assam government are prepared to submit a joint affidavit in response to three writ petitions related to alleged encroachments on Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in the Kheroni area. The High Court previously imposed a stay on eviction actions regarding these lands, prompting attention from local communities. The upcoming affidavit seeks to clarify the status of these disputed lands, with the court’s decision poised to impact future eviction processes and land rights governance. As the festival festivities continue, the community is keenly aware of the legal issues at stake, hoping for a resolution that honors their traditions while addressing land rights fairly.
