In the heart of Assam, the districts of Karbi Anglong have become the epicenter of surging tensions following a community’s appeal to the President of India for settlement rights in Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserves (VGR). The demand, which centers on the long-standing issue of land rights, has led to a series of protests, including the burning of tires, semi-nude demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies.
The escalation began after the Bihari community in West Karbi Anglong presented a memorandum to the President during his visit for the golden jubilee of the Karbi Youth Festival in Shillong. They sought permission to reside on VGR-PGR lands, sparking a swift response from local political groups, including the Autonomous State Demand Committee’s (ASDC) youth wing and the Karbi Students’ Association.
These groups staged peaceful protests in Kheroni and Dongkamokam, expressing their opposition to the settlement demands. However, the situation took a violent turn when several members of the student organizations were seriously injured in a nighttime attack by unidentified miscreants in Kheroni. The subsequent blockade and continued protests by student groups have heightened tensions across both hill districts.
As news of the incident spread, the unrest intensified, leading to unannounced shutdowns in various parts of the districts. Shops and markets in Diphu, the district headquarters, were closed as various groups took to the streets. The protests spread like wildfire, with incidents of tire burning and rallies reported across different locations, sparking widespread concern and unrest.
The situation became even more volatile when rumors circulated of an attack on student protesters by the Hindi-speaking community. In response, the West Karbi Anglong police and district administration swiftly arrested 25 individuals connected to the incident.
Meanwhile, protest participants enforced a complete shutdown of all commercial activities. District Commissioner Madhumita Bhagawati called for peace and convened a meeting with ASDC, the Karbi Students’ Association, and other organizations to discuss the situation and maintain harmony.
Political Parties and Organizations React to the Crisis:
During a press conference, the ASDC clarified that they had not called for a shutdown. Former executive member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Jotson Bey, and other leaders emphasized that while there were calls for a bandh (shutdown), it was not enforced due to ongoing exams, to avoid inconveniencing the public.
The political party also demanded that those responsible for the assault be punished and that an eviction drive be initiated against illegal occupants of the reserved land. Further, they questioned whether people from the North East could similarly claim grazing land in Bihar, highlighting the complexity of land rights issues.
The Karbi Anglong Bhojpuri Association condemned the incident and demanded severe punishment for the culprits. The Karbi Students’ Association (Ingti Kathar Songbijit faction) echoed these sentiments and gave the district administration a 48-hour ultimatum to take decisive action.
The Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang, appealed for peace through social media channels and announced a council meeting on February 19th to discuss the contested land with various political parties and leaders.
Amar Singh Tisso, the acting executive member of the council’s Revenue Department, and MLA Dorsing Ronghang visited the protest sites. Despite offering solidarity with the protestors, they remained firm on their demands for justice and the initiation of an eviction drive in the protected forest areas.
Various student organizations and Bhojpuri groups have expressed strong reactions to the events, calling for harsh penalties for those at fault. Assam Police Director General GP Singh also took to Twitter, affirming that the culprits were arrested and that the administration would take strict measures to maintain law and order.
As the news develops, reports indicate that an undeclared bandh persists across both hill districts of Karbi Anglong, with sporadic tensions remaining. While the situation is somewhat under control, the undercurrent of unrest continues to grip the region, signaling the need for a delicate balance between community demands, environmental conservation, and political resolution.
