Explained: What's behind the violent unrest in Assam's Karbi Anglong district?

Two people were killed, and several others were injured following violent protests over alleged illegal non tribal settlement in Assam’s Karbi Anglong Hill over the last two days. The protests are continuing as of Wednesday, forcing the government to issue a high alert across the district and deploy five additional companies of CRPF to control the situation.

Mobile internet services have been suspended in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts from December 23 until further notice. In addition, Section 163 of the BNS has been imposed in the entire district, banning gatherings of five or more people. There is also an evening curfew from 5 pm to 6 am.

What triggered the clashes  

There had been tensions between the Karbi community and non tribal settlers over illegal encroachment on grazing reserve and village grazing reserve lands. The Karbi  community is a major indigenous tribal group in Assam and has been recognised as one of the state's official tribes.

The region falls under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, governed by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This means the council has autonomy over land, forests and and local governance to protect indigenous communities.

The Karbi community has been demanding the eviction of the alleged encroachers, and a hunger strike was launched on December 6. The Karbi youth have been demanding that the Hindi speakers in the region leave the Kheroni area. According to the Karbi youth, they are living in this area 'illegally' though people speaking different languages ​​have been living in this area for several generations.

The police had to intervene and remove nine hunger-striking agitators to the hospital for medical treatment.

The police action triggered widespread anger, prompting thousands of people, including women, elders, students, and youths, to blockade the major Kheroni Bridge that is vital for local transport. They also demanded talks with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council leadership, particularly its Chief Executive Member, Dr Tuliram Ronghang.

The protests turned violent as rumours spread that the tribal leaders were arrested, which triggered public anger and mass mobilisation.

Social media and the internet may be used to further spread inflammatory messages and rumours, which may lead to further aggravation of the situation, according to the Home and Political Department  Commissioner and Secretary Biswajit Pegu. The residence of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief was set on fire by agitators. Shops, homes, a school bus and other public property were also targeted as unrest spread.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern over the incident and ordered the deployment of additional forces in the Kheroni area. He said in a tweet on his X handle, "The loss of two lives during today's unrest is extremely painful."