Assam: Fresh violence in Karbi Anglong amid land dispute protests

Fresh clashes erupted in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday, leaving at least eight people injured after two groups of protestors confronted each other. Police resorted to lathi charge and tear-gas shells to disperse the crowds, as the situation spiralled out of control.

The unrest involved two groups : one consisting of agitators demanding eviction of illegal settlers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in the tribal belt, and the other comprising residents and locals affected by Monday’s violence , whose shops and homes had been torched. Stone-pelting from both sides injured protestors, police personnel, and media covering the incident.

The agitators had been on a 15-day hunger strike pressing for eviction of encroachers, mostly from Bihar. Earlier talks with Senior Minister Ranoj Pegu led them to call off the strike following government assurances that tripartite talks involving the government, protestors, and encroachers including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be held soon.

On Monday, four people were injured in police firing after protestors went on a rampage, torching the residence of KAAC chief executive member Tuliram Ronghang and around 15 shops in Kheroni Bazaar. Protestors also attempted to attack the Kheroni police station, which was foiled by security forces.

The administration has imposed prohibitory orders and a night curfew in Karbi Anglong and neighbouring West Karbi Anglong district to prevent further unrest. Additional forces have been deployed from neighbouring districts to maintain law and order.

Authorities stressed that the matter can only be resolved through dialogue and mediation , as eviction attempts in the past were stalled by a Gauhati High Court order. Rumours that hunger-striking protestors had been arrested had further aggravated tensions; the Chief Minister clarified that no arrests were made, and those affected were taken to Guwahati for medical treatment.

Chief Minister Sarma described the situation as “very sensitive” and said he is in touch with district officials and protest leaders, hoping to restore normalcy by tonight . Senior Minister Pegu added that discussions are ongoing with both protestors and encroachers to find a lasting resolution.