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Guwahati: The situation in Assam's Karbi Anglong turned tense on Tuesday night after a fresh violence broke out in the trouble-torn district, killing two people and injuring over 40 others, including DGP and several other police personnel. The clashes erupted between two groups of protesters, following which security forces lathi-charged and fired tear gas shells to disperse them.
According to police, the agitators set ablaze a building killing a 25-year-old specially abled youth, Suresh Dey, while another person, identified as Athik Timung, was killed during the clash.
Why the violence broke out
The violence erupted in the district over the encroachment of tribal belts. The protesters hit the streets in large numbers on Tuesday, demanding the eviction of encroachers. They also hurled bombs and burnt down several shops, police said.
Meanwhile, DGP Harmeet Singh told reporters that he appealed to the protesters not indulge in violence and they have agreed to his request. He also warned the agitators of stringent action if they tried to take the law in their hands.
''They are, however, hurling bombs, shooting arrows and burning down shops... 38 police personnel, including IPS officers, were injured in the violence. A stone hit my shoulder, too," the senior cop said.
What Assam CM said
Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the unrest, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he was deeply pained over the deaths and that he was closely monitoring the situation. "I am closely monitoring the situation in West Karbi Anglong. It is deeply painful that two persons lost their lives during today’s unrest,'' he said in a post on X.
He further said that additional security forces will be deployed in Kherani area on Wednesday to maintain peace. "We are in constant touch with all concerned to restore normalcy and resolve issues through dialogue. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The government will stand with all affected families and provide all necessary support," Sarma said.
How it all started
The agitators, who are from several political and social organisations, have been on a hunger strike for the last 15 days to press for their demand of evicting illegal settlers, who are mostly from Bihar, from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in the two districts -Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.
On Monday, a group of people went on a rampage, setting ablaze the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief executive member Tuliram Ronghang and several shops in Kheroni market area. They also allegedly tried to attack the police station in Kheroni and torched vehciles. Following this, prohibitory orders were imposed in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.
However, rumours began circulating on Monday night that three protesters, who were on hunger strike, were arrested. The Chief Minister refuted the claims and said the protesters were taken for treatment to Guwahati as their health deteriorated.
The protesters called off their strike on Tuesday after the government assured them of tripartite talks over the issue. However, some people gathered in the Kheroni market to protest against the Monday violence, defying prohibitory orders. The agitators demanding the eviction of encroachers from the tribal belt also reached there.
When the security forces deployed in the area tried to pacify them, they began hurling stones, leaving several people, including police personnel, protesters and media persons injured. The police lathicharged and fired tear gas shells to disperse both groups of protesters after the situation spiralled out of control.
Internet suspended
Meanwhile, internet services in both Karbi Anglong and West Anglong districts were temporarily suspended on Tuesday to prevent any deterioration of the situation.
