GUWAHATI: The situation is critical in Karbi Anglong; there are atrocities happening on our land,” said Litson Rongphor, one of the key leaders who led the agitation in the ongoing protests in Karbi Anglong, which have resulted in injuries to more than 50 people and two deaths. For two days, the entire district of Karbi Anglong came to a standstill as violence in Kheroni escalated, culminating in the burning of the house of the Chief Executive Member, Tuliram Ronghang, by unidentified miscreants during the protests.
The clashes, centred in the Kheroni-Phelangpi belt, erupted after a prolonged hunger strike over tribal land rights. However, the anger is rooted in decades-old tensions involving Sixth Schedule protections, demographic anxieties, unresolved eviction disputes, and lingering grievances from the insurgency era. Despite prohibitory orders being in force, a large number of people including women and children whose shops were allegedly burnt by a mob—came out to protest against the violence. At the same time, agitators demanding the eviction of encroachers from the tribal belt gathered in the Kheroni market area.
Both groups were agitated. Security forces deployed in the area attempted to pacify the crowds, but suddenly stone-pelting began from both sides, injuring several protesters, police personnel, and media persons covering the incident, a senior police officer said. As the situation spiralled out of control, police resorted to a lathi charge and subsequently fired tear gas shells to disperse both groups of protesters. The situation remains tense in the area, and additional forces have been rushed to the spot. Earlier, protesters had torched two motorcycles in the Kheroni area. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the situation in Karbi Anglong was “very sensitive”.
The immediate trigger was police action against hunger strikers who had been sitting for over two weeks at Phelangpi in West Karbi Anglong. Members of the indigenous Karbi community and other tribal groups had launched a fast unto death demanding the eviction of settlers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands. These lands, set aside since the British era to ensure livestock grazing, fall under the jurisdiction of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and are protected under the Sixth Schedule.
The scale of violence was far more intense than previous flare-ups in the area. Over 45 people were injured, including 38 police personnel. Senior IPS officers and the state Director General of Police were also reportedly injured during the clashes. A Bengali man, identified as Suresh Dey, who was disabled, was charred to death after being trapped inside a building that was set ablaze during the arson in Kheroni market. A protester from the Karbi community also died during police action. These two deaths hardened positions and deepened the communal fault line.
PGR & VGR LAND ISSUE (Sixth Schedule Area)
Tribal View
- Illegal encroachment
- Violation of Sixth Schedule provisions
- Loss of grazing land
- Threat to indigenous rights
Settler View
- Living in the area for decades
- Demand for regularisation
- Citizenship and livelihood claims
- No alternative land available
Ground Realities (Data):
- 1,983 families identified in Hawaipur Mouza.
- 103 families in Phuloni Circle (KAAC data).
Political Flashpoint:
- Bihari Nonia organisation submits memorandum to the President of India.
- Demand Legalisation of settlements.
- Karbi groups view this as a threat to Sixth Schedule autonomy.
Legal Constraints:
- 15-day eviction notices issued.
- Evictions halted due to a PIL.
- Case pending in the Gauhati High Court; Risk of contempt if evictions continue.
Government Response and Resolution Efforts
To take stock of the situation, the Assam government convened a crucial tripartite meeting in Guwahati on December 26 to address the violent unrest in West Karbi Anglong and resolve long-pending disputes over PGR and VGR lands. The meeting, convened at the Chief Minister’s Office in Guwahati, involved representatives of the state government, protest leaders from West Karbi Anglong, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. It aimed to defuse tensions that had escalated into violence over the sensitive land issue.
The Assam government has decided to approach the Gauhati High Court on January 5, seeking clarity on eviction-related issues linked to alleged encroachments on PGR and VGR land in West Karbi Anglong district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision on Friday evening following the tripartite meeting. Sarma said the state government is constrained by a stay order issued by the Gauhati High Court on evictions from PGR and VGR land, but clarified that the government would place all relevant facts before the court on January 5.
“Apart from moving the court, we have decided to withdraw all government offices from VGR and PGR land. Nearly 8,000 bighas of land will be fenced, and a large-scale afforestation drive will be undertaken to restore green cover,” the Chief Minister said. He further stated that the KAAC will cancel all trade licences issued in VGR and PGR areas, and that no fresh licences will be granted. “Several important decisions have been taken to address the concerns raised by local residents. Another meeting will be held on January 16 or 17 to review progress,” Sarma added.
Meanwhile, the opposition has questioned the Assam government over the issue. Expressing deep concern over the incident in Kheroni, where a procession of non-indigenous people raised slogans such as “Karbi Go Back” and “Karbi Chinese Go Back,” the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) alleged that this was the direct outcome of a BJP-led conspiracy to politically marginalise indigenous communities.
