Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stepped in with decisive measures following a spate of deadly violence in the state's West Karbi Anglong district. The intervention came after a high-level meeting on Friday, December 27, 2025, with representatives from Karbi community organisations and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
Key Decisions to Quell Tensions
The central decision announced by CM Sarma is the immediate cancellation of trading licences for all commercial establishments operating on contentious Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands. This move is aimed at preventing further commercial activity on lands at the heart of the dispute.
The state government has also mandated that the KAAC file its crucial affidavit in the Gauhati High Court by January 5. The court has been awaiting this document to determine if the lands occupied by petitioners are officially declared PGR or VGR areas. Karbi groups will also be allowed to present their views directly to the court as a formal party to the ongoing case.
Background of the Conflict and Violence
The region, which falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution granting tribal autonomy, has been simmering with tension. The core issue is the demand for eviction of non-Karbi populations, notably settlers from Bihar, who are alleged to have encroached upon vast tracts of protected PGR and VGR lands.
This week, tensions boiled over into fatal violence in the Kheroni area. The clashes resulted in the deaths of two residents: Suraj Dey, who was killed when his house was set ablaze, and Linus Phangcho, who succumbed to injuries sustained during police action against a protesting mob. Dozens of police personnel were injured, and incidents of arson and destruction were reported.
While the KAAC had announced an eviction drive targeting around 2,000 families from over 7,000 acres of land back in February, the process was halted. This was due to legal challenges from 339 residents who obtained stay orders from the High Court.
Further Measures and Compensation
Beyond the licence cancellations, CM Sarma outlined a multi-pronged approach. All government offices built on the disputed PGR/VGR lands will be relocated. Furthermore, the KAAC will fence approximately 8,000 bighas of currently vacant PGR/VGR land and undertake afforestation to deter future encroachment.
In a bid to ease tensions, Sarma announced that all criminal cases related to the protests—except those connected to Suraj Dey's death—will be withdrawn. As a gesture of compensation, the KAAC will provide a job to the next of kin of Linus Phangcho, and the state government will grant an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the family.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government will urge the High Court for a swift resolution given the sensitive nature of the matter. A follow-up meeting with all stakeholders has been scheduled for January 16 or 17.
Karbi community representatives, including Litsong Rongphar who was on a hunger strike, termed the meeting a "starting point." They indicated that the final assessment of the outcome would depend on consultations with their community members on the ground.
