Guwahati, Dec 31: Opposition parties in Assam on December 30 alleged that a “political conspiracy” lay behind the recent communal violence in West Karbi Anglong district, accusing the state administration of a complete breakdown in maintaining law and order.
A joint delegation of opposition leaders visited the affected Kheroni area in central Assam, where they met victims’ families and reviewed the damage caused during the unrest. Following the visit, the parties claimed the violence stemmed from a deliberate “divide and rule” strategy intended to create discord between hill and plain communities, as well as among different tribal groups, for electoral gains.
Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said the delegation would submit a memorandum to the Governor on December 31 after completing its on-the-spot assessment, outlining its findings and demands. He alleged that the administration’s failure to act in time had resulted in loss of life and widespread injuries.
Tensions in the district have been building between Karbi and Bihari communities over allegations of encroachment on Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve land in tribal belts by Hindi-speaking settlers. The situation spiralled into violence in Kheroni, leaving two people dead—one in police firing and another who was allegedly burnt alive inside his house—and injuring more than 180 people, including 173 security personnel.
Saikia said the opposition would seek compensation in line with official norms for the families of those killed and injured, along with a comprehensive inquiry into the damage caused and adequate relief for those affected. He also criticised the BJP, accusing it of double standards for demanding President’s Rule over minor incidents in West Bengal while failing to take decisive action despite serious violence in Assam.
He alleged that the state government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with the BJP-controlled Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, had been unable to manage the crisis effectively.
The delegation included leaders from the Congress, CPI(M), Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad and CPI(ML) Liberation. The violence followed a 15-day hunger strike by Karbi groups demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers, mainly from Bihar, from grazing reserve lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. The situation escalated on December 22 after police removed three protesters from the agitation site in the early hours, a step the administration later said was taken for medical reasons.
As the situation deteriorated, an Army column was deployed and flag marches were carried out in the affected areas in an effort to restore calm.
