Karbi Anglong Burned, Blocked, and on Edge: What really triggered the Assam violence?

Violence broke out in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district this week as a protest over alleged “encroachment” on reserved lands turned deadly, resulting in at least two fatalities and numerous injuries, including to police personnel. Curfews have been imposed in several parts of the hill districts and internet services have been suspended in an attempt to control the situation.

Clashes began in the Kheroni area of the district on Tuesday (December 23), with rival groups of protesters reportedly demanding the eviction of “encroachers” from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) areas turning violent. The district is part of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) which is regulated by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, an act to protect tribal people.

District officials say one of the victims was a 25-year-old man from a non-tribal local community who was killed after being trapped inside a building that was set on fire during the clashes. A second person from the Karbi indigenous tribe community died after being critically injured during police intervention to disperse the crowd.

Injured during the protests, at least 48 police personnel, including the Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP), and several locals were taken to hospital, with some officers still in serious condition. In addition to stones, crude bombs, bows and arrows were also reportedly used during the clashes, with dozens of people from both sides suffering injuries.

The current protests are in relation to a hunger strike which had been underway for more than two weeks by tribal groups at Phelangpi where nine agitators had been staging a sit-in demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlements in the protected PGR and VGR areas. The locals say the lands are designated for tribals to graze their livestock and that the settlement of non-tribals in the protected areas will affect their rights and lifestyle.

Violence erupted on a large scale after KAAC Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang’s ancestral home was set on fire earlier in the week during the unrest. Vehicles and shops were also vandalised during the clashes, after which authorities moved to impose curfews in the affected areas.

In an attempt to control the situation and stem the spread of rumours and misinformation, the Assam government on Wednesday ordered the temporary suspension of mobile internet services in both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts. In addition, prohibitory orders under Section 163 have been imposed and a night curfew continues to be enforced.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that he was “saddened” by the deaths, with the state government closely watching the situation. “My appeal is for maintaining peace. We will have talks with all the stakeholders in the coming days to find a permanent solution to this issue,” the Chief Minister said.

Security forces have been deployed to the area and on Wednesday no fresh incidents of violence were reported, though officials say the situation in the district remains tense, with appeals made to maintain peace.