Karbi Anglong, Dec 28: Mobile internet services remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day on December 28 across Assam’s Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts, as authorities continued to enforce strict measures in the aftermath of violent protests linked to land eviction demands in the Kheroni area. The curbs, first imposed on December 23, were aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation following intense clashes over the proposed removal of alleged encroachers from Professional Grazing Reserve and Village Grazing Reserve lands.
Although no fresh incidents have been reported in recent days, security remains tight with a heavy deployment of forces on the ground and prohibitory orders still in effect. Police officials said the situation has begun to stabilise, even as the impact of the violence earlier in the week continues to weigh heavily on the administration.
According to the police, the unrest on December 22 and 23 under the jurisdiction of Kheroni police station in West Karbi Anglong led to injuries to as many as 173 security personnel. Those hurt included members of the Assam Police and the Central Reserve Police Force. While 139 personnel were treated with first aid at the scene, 33 others required hospitalisation for further medical care.
The violence also claimed two civilian lives. Officials confirmed that one individual died in police firing, while another was burnt alive inside his residence during the disturbances. Several properties were set on fire as the situation spiralled out of control, adding to the scale of destruction witnessed during the unrest.
The protests were preceded by a 15-day hunger strike by agitators from the Karbi community, who have been demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers from grazing reserve lands within tribal belts. The settlers are reportedly from Bihar. Tensions sharply escalated after police shifted three hunger-striking protesters from the demonstration site during the early hours, citing their deteriorating health and the need for hospitalisation. The action triggered widespread anger among demonstrators and led to violent confrontations.
An earlier eviction drive had already been put on hold after a petition was moved before the Gauhati High Court, which issued an interim stay on the process. In an effort to ease tensions, a tripartite meeting involving the state government, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and representatives of the protestors was held on Friday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured that the government would approach the Gauhati High Court to seek an early hearing on the stay related to eviction from grazing reserve lands in both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
