Violence erupts in Assam’s Karbi Anglong as protesters set BJP leader Tuliram Ronghang’s ancestral home on fire; curfew-like restrictions imposed.
The unrest later spread to Dongkamokam, Ronghang’s constituency, where protesters marched to his ancestral residence and set it ablaze. (Photo: Social Media)
Assam: A mob in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district on Monday set fire to the ancestral home of Tuliram Ronghang, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and the chief of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), triggering widespread violence and prompting authorities to impose curfew-like restrictions across the districts.
The arson followed clashes between protesters and security forces over demands for eviction of alleged encroachers from protected grazing lands. At least three protesters were injured after police resorted to blank firing to disperse the crowd, while a CRPF jawan was also hurt during the violence, officials said.
Several houses, shops and public properties were vandalised or torched in parts of Kheroni and nearby areas as the situation spiralled out of control.
The unrest later spread to Dongkamokam, Ronghang’s constituency, where protesters marched to his ancestral residence and set it ablaze.
Ronghang said that his elderly father, who usually stays at the house, was not present at the time, and only security personnel were stationed there.
The agitation escalated after police on Sunday night picked up nine protesters, including a youth leader from an indefinite hunger strike site in Kheroni.
The hunger strike, which had entered its 16th day, was demanding eviction of alleged illegal settlers from Village Grazing Reserves (VGRs) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGRs).
As news of the detentions spread, large crowds gathered on Monday morning, blocking roads, vandalising vehicles and clashing with security personnel. Police fired blank rounds to control the mob, but tensions intensified, culminating in the attack on Ronghang’s residence.
The agitation centres on 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 large tracts have been encroached upon by outsiders.
According to Ronghang, eviction drives started in some of the areas in 2024 were later stalled after affected residents moved the Gauhati High Court, making the matter sub-judice.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday evening said some hunger-striking protesters were shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital after their health deteriorated, and alleged that misinformation about their detention had fuelled public anger.
“We are aware of their demands for eviction, but we cannot overtake the High Court,” Sarma said, adding that violence would only complicate dialogue. He said the government remained open to talks and would raise the matter with higher authorities.
Following the violence, the district administrations of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong imposed curfew-like prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
The orders prohibit the assembly of five or more persons, rallies, processions and public meetings, ban inflammatory speeches and the use of loudspeakers without permission, and restrict the carrying of firearms or explosives.
Movement of individuals and private vehicles has also been restricted during night hours from 5 pm to 6 am, with exemptions for emergency and essential services.
Following the incident, Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh reached Karbi Anglong, while Education Minister Ranoj Pegu was also scheduled to visit the district to engage with protesters, the chief minister said.
