At least four people were injured on Monday after police opened fire to disperse violent protesters in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders in Karbi Anglong and neighbouring West Karbi Anglong districts, officials said.
The situation escalated after a group of agitators set fire to the old and vacant residence of the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) at Donkamokam. Security forces opened fire to control the unrest, leaving three protesters and one policeman injured.
Following the violence, district authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in both districts, citing apprehensions that certain groups or individuals could disturb public peace and endanger life and property.
In Karbi Anglong district, District Magistrate Nirola Phangchopi imposed a night curfew, restricting the movement of individuals, groups and private vehicles from 5 pm to 6 am until further orders.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the agitation was linked to demands for the eviction of alleged encroachers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. However, he noted that an interim order of the Gauhati High Court has stayed all eviction drives in the area.
“The administration cannot carry out evictions when there is a court order,” Sarma said, adding that rumours played a key role in triggering the violence.
Director General of Police Harmeet Singh is camping in the affected area and is holding talks with protest leaders to defuse tensions.
The protesters, belonging to several political and social organisations, have been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days, demanding the eviction of illegal settlers from PGR and VGR lands.
“Tensions flared in the Kheroni area when police allegedly attempted to remove the protesters, leading to clashes. The agitators claimed that three hunger-striking protesters were arrested, which were not true,” said a police officer.
KAAC chief Tuliram Ronghang later clarified that the three individuals were admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital after their health condition deteriorated.
As news of the clash spread, protesters attacked and set ablaze the vacant residence of the KAAC CEM. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames. No injuries were reported in the incident, though the house was extensively damaged.
Additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order. Under the prohibitory orders, processions, rallies, public marches, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons have been banned. The orders also prohibit the circulation of statements or content — verbal, written, printed or on social media — that could incite unrest or disturb public peace.
The restrictions came into effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice.
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