Violent clashes between protesters and police in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district resulted in two fatalities and left more than fifty security personnel injured on Tuesday. The unrest, centered around long-standing allegations of illegal encroachment on protected forest lands, saw demonstrators armed with crude bombs, bows and arrows, and stones engage in pitched battles with law enforcement.
Fatalities and Escalating Violence
The day's violence claimed two lives under different circumstances. A tribal man died during police action against the protesters, while a non-tribal man lost his life in a fire that engulfed the Kheroni main market. Assam Police Director General Harmeet Singh provided a firsthand account of the intensity of the attack, stating he was targeted with arrows and stones, requiring shields for protection.
"It was a proper attack by protestors. I was attacked with bows and arrows, which had to be blocked with shields. I was also hit by stones," DGP Singh said. He further reported that protesters used gas cylinders to set shops ablaze and even hurled one cylinder at security forces. In total, DGP Singh, IGP Akhilesh Kumar Singh, and 48 other police personnel sustained injuries.
Administrative Response and Internet Shutdown
In a move to control the spread of misinformation and prevent further unrest, the district administration took the drastic step of suspending mobile internet services indefinitely in both West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts. The order aimed to "maintain public peace and tranquillity and to prevent any deterioration of the present situation." Voice calls and fixed-line broadband services remained operational.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his distress over the incident on social media platform 'X'. "I am closely monitoring the situation in West Karbi Anglong. It is deeply painful that two persons lost their lives during today’s unrest," he wrote. He announced the deployment of additional security forces in Kheroni and confirmed the government's commitment to dialogue. The CM extended his condolences and promised state support to the affected families.
Root Causes and Path to Dialogue
The core of the conflict lies in allegations of encroachment by illegal non-tribal settlers on forest areas designated as Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR). Residents, primarily from the Karbi community, have been protesting for over a year, demanding evictions. Their agitation intensified with a hunger strike that began on December 6.
Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu, who met with agitators in Kheroni, explained that tensions flared after police moved some hunger-striking protesters to a hospital in Guwahati due to deteriorating health, a move initially misunderstood by the group. Pegu assured the community of the government's seriousness regarding land rights and tribal issues.
Although land matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC)—a body governing the district under the Constitution's Sixth Schedule—the state government has intervened to facilitate a broader resolution. Tripartite talks involving the state government, KAAC representatives, and the protesters have been scheduled for December 26.
DGP Harmeet Singh emphasized the futility of violence, noting that the government is prepared for dialogue. "Govt is ready to talk. A date has been set for a tripartite talk over their demands. Violence does not achieve anything," he stated, warning that legal action would follow based on video evidence collected. He appealed for unity, drawing a cautionary parallel to events in Nepal, and urged society to guide misguided youths away from violence.
