Assam, Dec 23: Calm returned to Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday after a tense day of violence triggered by protests over alleged encroachment on grazing reserve land, police said, as authorities stepped up security and appealed for dialogue to prevent further unrest.
A senior police officer said no fresh incidents were reported since Monday night, offering some relief to residents of the hill district who witnessed arson and clashes a day earlier.
Prohibitory orders remain in force across Karbi Anglong and neighbouring West Karbi Anglong district, while a night curfew from 5 pm to 6 am continues in Karbi Anglong to maintain law and order.
Movement of individuals, groups and private vehicles is restricted during curfew hours. The violence erupted on Monday in the Kheroni area when protests demanding eviction of alleged encroachers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land spiralled out of control.
Protesters allegedly set fire to the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief Tuliram Ronghang and around 15 shops in Kheroni Bazaar. Police said four people were injured after security forces opened fire to disperse the mob.
Later in the day, another group allegedly torched the KAAC chief’s old residence in Donkamokam, further escalating tensions.
Security personnel again resorted to firing to bring the situation under control, leaving three protesters and a policeman injured, officials said.
Senior Assam minister Ranoj Pegu visited Kheroni late on Monday to take stock of the situation, while Director General of Police Harmeet Singh also toured the affected areas.
Pegu said additional security forces had been deployed from neighbouring districts as a precautionary measure and asserted that the situation was now under control.
“A section of people are angry over alleged encroachment on PGR and VGR land. An eviction drive was initiated earlier, but it was stayed following an interim order of the Gauhati High Court,” Pegu said, stressing that the issue could only be resolved through dialogue.
He added that the government was holding discussions with both the protesters and the alleged encroachers to find a peaceful solution.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said misinformation had played a significant role in fuelling tensions, particularly rumours that three protesters on hunger strike had been arrested.
“No one has been arrested. They were taken to Guwahati for medical treatment after their health condition deteriorated,” he clarified, adding that he remained in constant touch with district officials and protest leaders.
The protests, involving several political and social organisations, have been ongoing for nearly two weeks, with demonstrators staging a hunger strike demanding eviction of alleged illegal settlers from grazing reserve land.
Police said clashes broke out when attempts were made to disperse the protesters in the Kheroni area. Authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm and not fall prey to rumours, even as security forces continue to maintain a strong presence in sensitive areas.
With talks underway, officials hope dialogue will help defuse tensions and prevent a repeat of the violence witnessed earlier this week.
