All Adivasi Student Association of Assam (AASAA) has called for a 48-hour Karbi Anglong strike beginning July 4 from 5 a.m. to July 6, in protest against the Assam government’s failure in securing the safe release of 18 labourers including 9 Adivasis, who were taken hostage by Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger (KPLT) on June 10 from Lungnit hydro electric project.

The organization has warned that if the labourers were not released by July 6, it would call for an indefinite strike from July 9. AASAA president Anil Toppo and general secretary Jugal Tigga had also sought support from various student and civil society organizations in the district.

AASAA warned that KPLT would be held responsible any communal disturbance if the hostages were not released and expressed dismay over the failure of the district administration and the Congress led KAAC to protect the Adavasis and non-Karbi communities.

AASAA leaders said that on March 14 last, two Adavasi labourers were kidnapped by KPLT from Anjokpani and their whereabouts were still unknown. It may be mentioned that on March 3, conservator of forest Abhajit Rabha and one Ranjan Barua were kidnapped by KPLT but they were rescued at the government’s initiative.

The association has urged Karbi Students’ Association, All Bodo Students’ Union, All Dimasa Students’ Union, Bengali Federation, Hindi Bhasik Sangstha, National Students’ Union of India and other civil society organizations to enforce the 48-hour strike.

It may be noted that Naga civil society organizations and their counterparts at Diphu had been making efforts for securing the release of two Nagas who were also taken hostage by KPLT on June 10 from the Lungnit hydro electric project along with 16 others for ransom.