New Delhi: Fresh violence in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district has left at least two people dead and scores injured, including a large number of police personnel. The unrest erupted on Tuesday in Kheroni, pushing the hill region back into the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The clash prompted authorities to suspend mobile internet services across Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts as tensions escalated in the area.
According to the official sources, one of the deceased was a man from the Karbi community who died during police action against protestors. Another man who belongs to the Bengali community also lost his life in the incident at Kheroni’s main market area. While the exact number of injured civilians remains unclear, the scale of violence is evident from the injuries suffered by the police.
At least 58 police personnel were hurt during Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, an Inspector General of Police and another IPS officer. The DGP, who was present at the site also said attempts were made to directly engage with the crowd but the situation deteriorated rapidly.
“I had gone myself to speak to the protesters. But they started attacking the police from two sides. Shops were targeted, cylinders were dragged out and burst. They are using arrows and stones. This is not how any resolution can be reached,” Singh told reporters at Kheroni.
Why tensions erupted
The violence is linked to a long-standing demand by Karbi tribal bodies seeking eviction drives on Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land in the region. These lands are home to families from the Bihari and Nepali communities as well. For the past two weeks, nine protesters have been on a hunger strike at Phelangpi in West Karbi Anglong, pressing for action on what they describe as encroachments.
The tensions flared on Monday after the hunger strikers were moved from the protest site. Police said they were taken to Guwahati for medical treatment but the move triggered anger among supporters, which spilt onto the streets the next day.
Internet shut, talks proposed
Following the violence, the Assam Home Department ordered an immediate suspension of internet and mobile data services in the two districts, citing fears of rumours and inflammatory messages spreading online and worsening the situation.
He announced that a tripartite discussion involving the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the Assam government would be held with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set to chair the talks on December 26.
However, calm proved short-lived in the area as violence flared up again after the minister left the area, underscoring the fragile situation on the ground and the challenges that lie ahead in restoring lasting peace.