Tribal Protests in Assam Turn Violent, Resulting in Two Deaths

Violent protests in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district led to the deaths of two individuals on December 26, 2023. The unrest was sparked by tribal opposition to what they describe as illegal non-tribal settlements in a region protected under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, which grants autonomy to tribal areas regarding land and governance.

Details of the Unrest

The protests escalated sharply, resulting in confrontations between tribal groups and security forces. According to Assam’s Director General of Police, Harmeet Singh, and Inspector General of Police for Law and Order, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, 48 police personnel suffered injuries during clashes where protesters wielded bows, arrows, and stones. One tribal protester reportedly died due to police action while a non-tribal man perished in a fire that engulfed shops in Kheroni, a small town that has become the focal point of the turmoil.

To curb the situation, authorities suspended mobile internet services indefinitely across West Karbi Anglong and the adjacent Karbi Anglong district, although voice calls and fixed-line broadband remained operational. Local residents have been protesting for over a year against the encroachment of non-tribal settlers on designated grazing lands, demanding their eviction.

Heightened tensions erupted after members of the Karbi community initiated a hunger strike on December 6, 2023. The situation deteriorated further when police transferred some protesters to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, leading to misunderstandings among the demonstrators regarding the police’s intentions.

Government Response and Ongoing Investigations

State cabinet minister Ranoj Pegu addressed the protesters, asserting the government’s commitment to discussing land rights and tribal issues. He indicated that discussions scheduled for December 26, which would involve the state government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), aimed to address broader concerns affecting the Karbi community. Despite this, violence erupted, and various shops in Kheroni were set ablaze.

“It was a proper attack by protestors,” said DGP Harmeet Singh. “I was attacked with bows and arrows, which had to be blocked with shields. I was also hit by stones.”

In response to the violence, police initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to analyze videos from the scene and identify those responsible for the attacks. Singh confirmed that protesters had used gas cylinders to ignite fires at local markets and directed a strong message to the communities, emphasizing that violence would not resolve the ongoing issues.

Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and announced the deployment of additional security forces to Kheroni, approximately 250 kilometers east of Guwahati. He extended condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured the public that the situation was being closely monitored.

The recent violence highlights the volatile nature of land rights and ethnicity in this region, underscoring the challenges faced by the government in addressing the grievances of tribal communities while maintaining law and order.