A protracted dispute over land in Assam has reached a critical juncture, with the Gauhati High Court intervening in the volatile conflict between indigenous Karbi groups and settlers from other states. The core of the issue revolves around the reclamation of constitutionally protected Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) in the West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts.
Court Intervention and the Eviction Deadlock
The situation intensified in February 2024 when the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) issued eviction notices to alleged illegal settlers, many of whom are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These settlers promptly challenged the order in the Gauhati High Court. In response, the court has requested detailed documentation from the KAAC regarding the official declaration of the lands as VGR or PGR and has stayed the eviction against the petitioners until further notice.
The petitioners argue that the lands they occupy have not been formally designated as grazing reserves and assert settlement rights based on decades of occupation. The court has directed the KAAC to submit an affidavit clarifying the status of the contested lands and to refrain from evicting the petitioners in the interim.
A Timeline of Rising Tensions and Violence
The underlying conflict is not new, but it gained significant momentum in early 2024. On January 17, 2024, the Rachnatmak Nonia Sanyukta Sangh (RNSS), an organization representing Hindi-speaking residents with RSS links, submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. They demanded legal land rights for settlers who arrived before 2011.
This move sparked immediate protests from Karbi students and civil society groups. The tensions boiled over on February 15, 2024, resulting in violent clashes that left 11 people injured and led to 17 arrests. Undeterred, the KAAC issued eviction notices to over 10,000 people accused of illegal settlement on reserved grazing lands on February 20.
In June 2024, the council installed signage demarcating VGR and PGR land in West Karbi Anglong, a move that further inflamed the Karbi community. Fresh violence erupted in August 2024 when protesters clashed with police during a demonstration, injuring at least 35 protesters and nine police personnel.
The Battle Over Territory, Identity, and Legality
The standoff represents a fundamental clash of perspectives and legal claims. Karbi organizations are adamant about protecting their community land and identity as guaranteed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. They demand the eviction of non-tribal settlers from these protected reserves.
Conversely, the Hindi-speaking communities, including Nonias from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, seek the de-reservation of these areas to secure formal land titles, arguing their long-term residence grants them rights. Amid the ongoing tensions, three separate petitions were filed in July and September 2024 by non-tribal residents living on the disputed land, challenging the council's eviction orders.
The conflict resurfaced sharply in January 2025, with several Karbi organizations launching renewed protests demanding the eviction of unauthorized settlers from Kheroni VGR and PGR. This renewed mobilization underscores the ongoing volatility and sets the stage for a prolonged struggle where territory, ethnic identity, and legal interpretations are inextricably linked. The Gauhati High Court's forthcoming decisions based on the submitted affidavits are now eagerly awaited, as they will significantly influence the next phase of this deeply entrenched dispute.
