What’s happen in Karbi Anglong as tensions rise sharply
Internet was suspended in Karbi Anglong districts after fresh violence erupted during protests over a contentious eviction drive
Fresh violence linked to a long-running land eviction dispute has shaken Assam’s Karbi Anglong region, turning a simmering protest into a deadly flashpoint and forcing authorities to impose emergency measures to regain control. The unrest has left two people dead, dozens injured, and entire towns under tight restrictions as officials struggle to calm tensions in the Sixth Schedule hill district.
The violence erupted in parts of Kheroni and nearby areas, where protests over alleged encroachment on protected tribal lands spiralled into clashes between rival groups. Police said several houses, shops and public properties were vandalised or set on fire as anger spilled onto the streets. What began as a local agitation soon spread to Dongkamokam, the constituency of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief Tuliram Ronghang, dramatically escalating the situation.
In Dongkamokam, protesters marched to Ronghang’s ancestral residence and set it ablaze, a symbolic act that underscored the depth of resentment and the collapse of trust between sections of the public and local authorities. By then, law enforcement had already been stretched thin, dealing with violence across multiple locations.
Here are the 10 latest developments from Karbi Anglong, capturing how the crisis unfolded and why it matters:
- Internet services suspended
Internet services were suspended in both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts after fresh violence broke out during protests linked to the eviction drive. Officials confirmed the decision on Tuesday, saying it was necessary to curb the rapid spread of rumours and inflammatory messages on social media. - Deaths and injuries mount
At least two people were killed and 45 others injured in the clashes, including 38 police personnel. Violence flared as two groups of protesters confronted each other in Kheroni and Dongkamokam, forcing police to resort to lathi-charges and tear gas to disperse the crowds. - Roots of the dispute
The agitation centres on demands for the eviction of alleged encroachers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands. These lands are protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which aims to safeguard tribal land rights and autonomy in hill areas like Karbi Anglong. - Trigger point: hunger strikers
Tensions sharply escalated after nine hunger-striking agitators were picked up by police for medical treatment. Rumours quickly spread that they had been detained, fuelling anger and drawing large crowds onto the streets in protest. - Arson and vandalism
On Monday, protesters torched the ancestral home of KAAC chief Tuliram Ronghang. Several shops, motorcycles, and public properties were also vandalised, adding to fears that the unrest could spiral further if not contained quickly. - Prohibitory orders imposed
The orders also prohibit rallies, torch processions, and the use of loudspeakers, while restricting movement between 5 pm and 6 am. - Reason for internet shutdown
The Assam Home and Political Department said internet services were suspended to prevent the circulation of rumours and provocative content that could inflame the situation. Voice calls and fixed-line broadband services, however, were allowed to remain operational. - Police urge restraint
He warned that taking the law into one’s own hands would only worsen the situation. - Chief minister steps in
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was closely monitoring developments on the ground. He announced the deployment of additional security forces to affected areas and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. - A dispute years in the making
The unrest highlights a long-standing land dispute in the Sixth Schedule hill district. Protesters allege that more than 7,184 acres of protected land have been encroached upon. The issue is further complicated by ongoing cases in the Gauhati High Court, which have stayed eviction drives in the past.
Beyond the immediate violence, the Karbi Anglong crisis reflects deeper anxieties over land, identity, and governance in Assam’s hill districts. For many locals, the land represents not just property, but heritage and survival. As security forces maintain a heavy presence and restrictions remain in place, the challenge for authorities will be to rebuild trust, ensure accountability, and find a resolution that prevents the next spark from igniting yet another cycle of unrest.