India
Authorities imposed prohibitory orders across Assam’s Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts on Monday after protests demanding the eviction of alleged encroachers from protected grazing land spiralled into violence, resulting in arson, vandalism and clashes with security forces. The unrest culminated in the torching of the ancestral house of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief Tuliram Ronghang, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in the state.
According to police, the violence erupted after demonstrators clashed with security personnel in Kheroni and surrounding areas. At least four people were injured in the clashes, including three protesters and a jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Several houses, shops and public properties were vandalised or set ablaze as large crowds blocked roads and attacked vehicles, prompting the administration to deploy additional forces.
The situation worsened when the unrest spread to Dongkamokam, Ronghang’s constituency. A mob marched to the KAAC chief’s ancestral residence and set it on fire. Ronghang said that his elderly father, who usually stays at the house, had stepped out at the time of the attack and was unharmed. He added that only security personnel were present when the house was torched. Visuals of the damaged residence later surfaced on social media.
Officials said the agitation intensified after nine protesters, including a youth leader, were picked up by authorities from the site of an indefinite hunger strike in Kheroni. The hunger strike, which entered its 16th day on Monday, is demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers from Village Grazing Reserves (VGRs) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGRs). Authorities clarified that the protesters were shifted to hospital after their health deteriorated, but rumours of their detention triggered widespread anger and mobilisation.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said misinformation about the protesters’ detention fuelled the violence. He stressed that eviction drives could not proceed while court orders were in place, noting that some eviction efforts launched in 2024 were halted after affected residents approached the Gauhati High Court. “Violence will only complicate dialogue,” Sarma said, adding that the government remained open to discussions and would take up the issue with higher authorities.
The agitation centres on the alleged encroachment of nearly 7,184.7 acres of protected grazing land in Karbi Anglong. Protesters argue that under Sixth Schedule provisions, land ownership by non-protected communities is prohibited, and claim that outsiders have illegally occupied large tracts of land.
In response to the violence, district administrations invoked prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The orders ban the assembly of five or more people, rallies, processions and public meetings, restrict inflammatory speeches and the use of loudspeakers without permission, and prohibit the carrying of firearms or explosives. Movement of individuals and private vehicles has also been restricted from 5 pm to 6 am, with exemptions for essential and emergency services.
Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh reached Karbi Anglong to review the situation, while Education Minister Ranoj Pegu was scheduled to visit the district to engage with protesters, the chief minister said. Authorities said security had been tightened to prevent further escalation and restore normalcy.
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