Tensions erupted in Assam on Tuesday, leading authorities to impose prohibitory orders in two districts after a violent protest saw the house of a key tribal council chief set on fire. The incident in the Karbi Anglong region left at least four people injured and prompted a swift administrative crackdown to prevent further unrest.
Violent Protest Erupts Over Tribal Status Demands
The flashpoint was a demonstration organized by the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS). Protesters were demanding the creation of an autonomous state under Article 244(A) of the Constitution for the tribal communities residing in the area. The agitation took a violent turn when a mob targeted the residence of Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
According to police reports, the protesters set fire to Ronghang's house in the Diphu area of West Karbi Anglong district. The arson attack caused significant damage to the property. In the ensuing chaos, four individuals sustained injuries. While the identities of the injured were not immediately disclosed, officials confirmed they received necessary medical attention.
Administration Responds with Section 144
In response to the violence and to prevent the situation from escalating, the district administrations of West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao swiftly invoked Section 144 of the CrPC. This prohibitory order bans the assembly of four or more people in public spaces. The order was clamped down to maintain law and order and to stop any further spread of protests or violence.
The imposition of Section 144 effectively restricts all forms of public gathering, processions, and demonstrations in these districts. Security forces have been deployed in strength across sensitive locations, particularly in and around Diphu, to enforce the order and monitor the situation. The police have launched an investigation into the incident to identify and apprehend those responsible for the arson and violence.
Background of the Political Tension
The core of the dispute lies in the long-standing demand for greater autonomy. The JACAS and other groups have been advocating for the implementation of Article 244(A), which allows for the creation of an autonomous state within Assam, granting more legislative and executive powers to the tribal-majority regions of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
This demand has often put local leaders, including KAAC chief Tuliram Ronghang, in a difficult position. Protesters accuse the council leadership of not pushing the central and state governments hard enough to fulfill this constitutional promise. The torching of the CEM's house is seen as a dramatic escalation of this frustration, moving from peaceful agitation to targeted violence against symbolic authority figures.
The state government is closely monitoring the situation. While ensuring security, officials have also indicated a need for political dialogue to address the underlying grievances that sparked the violent protest. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the situation de-escalates or if the tensions persist, testing the administration's control in this sensitive tribal belt of Assam.
