Assam – Fresh violence has erupted in Assam’s Karbi Anglong region, transforming a long-simmering land dispute into deadly clashes that have claimed two lives and injured dozens. The Karbi Anglong protests have prompted authorities to suspend internet services and impose strict prohibitory orders as the state government scrambles to restore calm in the troubled hill district.
Deadly Clashes and Widespread Violence
The Karbi Anglong protests turned violent when clashes broke out between two groups of demonstrators in the Kheroni and Dongkamukam areas. At least two people were killed and 45 others injured, including 38 police personnel who were caught in the confrontations. Police forces responded by resorting to lathi-charge and deploying tear gas to disperse the aggressive crowds.
The violence resulted in extensive property damage across the region. Several houses, shops, and public properties were vandalized or set ablaze in parts of Kheroni and surrounding areas as the situation spiraled beyond control. The unrest quickly spread to neighboring areas, demonstrating the widespread nature of public anger.
The Root Cause: Land Eviction Dispute
At the heart of the Karbi Anglong protests lies a contentious demand for the eviction of alleged encroachers from Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve lands. These protected areas fall under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which specifically safeguards tribal land rights in autonomous districts.
Protesters have alleged that over 7,184 acres of protected land have been encroached upon, fueling long-standing grievances about land rights and resource management. This land dispute has been further complicated by ongoing legal cases in the Gauhati High Court, creating a complex situation that has festered for years.
Trigger Point: Medical Evacuation Sparks Outrage
The Karbi Anglong protests escalated dramatically after police picked up nine hunger-striking agitators for medical treatment. This action triggered widespread rumors of detention, fueling public anger and leading to mass mobilization across the district. The incident transformed what had been a relatively contained protest into widespread civil unrest.
The perception that authorities were suppressing peaceful protesters galvanized support for the movement, drawing larger crowds and intensifying the confrontational atmosphere that ultimately led to the violent clashes.
Attack on Political Leader’s Residence
In a significant escalation of the Karbi Anglong protests, demonstrators marched to the ancestral residence of Tuliram Ronghang, chief of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and set it ablaze on Monday. This targeted attack on a prominent political figure’s property underscores the depth of anger and frustration among protesters.
The assault on Ronghang’s residence in Dongkamokam, which falls within his constituency, represents a direct challenge to the autonomous council’s authority and its handling of the land dispute.
Government Response and Security Measures
In response to the deteriorating situation during the Karbi Anglong protests, authorities imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita. This prohibitory order bans gatherings of five or more people, rallies, torch processions, and the use of loudspeakers. Movement restrictions have been implemented between 5 pm and 6 am to maintain order.
The Assam Home and Political Department suspended internet services across Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts to prevent the spread of rumors and inflammatory content. However, voice calls and fixed-line broadband services remain functional to ensure basic communication needs are met.
Official Statements and Peace Efforts
Inspector General of Police Akhilesh Kumar Singh confirmed that peaceful talks were underway to resolve the Karbi Anglong protests. He urged people to pursue their grievances through legal means rather than taking the law into their own hands, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public order.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced he was closely monitoring the unfolding situation. The state government has deployed additional security forces to the affected areas to prevent further violence and restore normalcy. Sarma expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the clashes.
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Constitutional and Legal Context
The Karbi Anglong protests highlight the complex interplay between constitutional protections and ground realities in Sixth Schedule areas. These autonomous hill districts enjoy special provisions designed to preserve tribal culture and protect indigenous land rights, making land disputes particularly sensitive.
The ongoing legal proceedings in various courts add another layer of complexity to resolving the Karbi Anglong protests, as multiple stakeholders await judicial clarity on land ownership and eviction rights.
Current Situation and Path Forward
As the Karbi Anglong protests continue, authorities face the challenging task of balancing security concerns with addressing legitimate grievances. The suspension of internet services and movement restrictions have temporarily contained the violence, but lasting peace requires addressing the underlying land dispute that sparked the unrest in this troubled Assam district.
