Diphu, Assam – April 2025 — Once a region marked by militancy and unrest, Karbi Anglong in Assam is today emerging as a symbol of peace and prosperity. In a powerful address on Tuesday, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the district’s remarkable transformation, describing it as a journey “from guns to groundnuts” — a phrase that has now become synonymous with hope and renewal in the region.
Speaking at a public event in Diphu, the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong, the Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the local administration, surrendered militants, and farmers who have collectively redefined the district’s future. His visit marked the inauguration of several agricultural development projects, along with distribution of financial aid and farm equipment to local farmers.
A Region Once Torn by Violence
Karbi Anglong, located in central Assam, was once synonymous with insurgency. Decades of ethnic strife, armed rebellion, and underdevelopment left the district in isolation from mainstream economic and social growth. Multiple militant outfits operated in the hills, demanding autonomy and rights for the Karbi people, often through violent means.
This situation began to change significantly after the signing of the Karbi Anglong Peace Accord in 2021, which brought together various insurgent groups and the government on a common platform for peace and development. Since then, more than 1,000 militants have laid down arms, and rehabilitation measures have been introduced to reintegrate them into society.
A New Era of Development
During his speech, CM Sarma highlighted how agricultural innovation and economic investment have become the new identity of Karbi Anglong. “Today, this land, once stained with bloodshed, is now blooming with groundnut farms, ginger cultivation, and organic produce. This is the real victory of peace,” he declared to a cheering crowd.
Under state government schemes like the Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) and Mission Basundhara, farmers in Karbi Anglong have received seeds, irrigation support, and modern farming tools. Thousands of hectares once lying barren or abandoned due to conflict are now fertile grounds for crops like groundnuts, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.
Local farmers, who once lived in fear, are now entrepreneurs. “Earlier we feared for our lives, now we are planning to export groundnuts to other states,” said Mangal Engti, a former daily wage worker turned farmer from Bokajan.
Livelihood, Not Violence
The government has also invested heavily in skill development programs aimed at providing youth with alternatives to militancy. Vocational training centers, micro-financing schemes, and small-scale industries are being promoted to ensure sustainable income.
Many former militants have now become successful agripreneurs, thanks to the rehabilitation packages and guidance provided under the Assam government’s Swabalamban initiative. Some have even become mentors for other young people in the region.
“This transformation proves that development is the best antidote to extremism,” CM Sarma stated. “Give people the tools to build, not destroy, and they will always choose life over violence.”
Political Significance
Karbi Anglong’s transformation carries political weight for the ruling BJP-led government as well. With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, the district is being projected as a model of how peace accords and development schemes can create long-term stability.
Leaders from the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), which has also been empowered under the peace agreement, expressed their satisfaction with the region’s progress and pledged to support the state’s continued development agenda.
Looking Ahead
The government plans to turn Karbi Anglong into an agro-industrial hub over the next five years. Cold storage facilities, food processing units, and better transport connectivity are on the anvil. A proposed Agri Export Zone is also under discussion, which could open international markets for the district’s produce.
Karbi Anglong’s journey from the shadow of guns to the golden fields of groundnuts stands as a testament to what peace and policy can achieve when guided by vision and inclusion. As Chief Minister Sarma put it, “This is not just a change in the land. It is a change in the heart, the hope, and the future of our people.”
