UKHRUL: Fresh violence erupted in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district for the second consecutive day on Tuesday (December 23, 2025), despite prohibitory orders, a night curfew and suspension of internet services in Karbi Anglong and neighbouring West Karbi Anglong districts.
The unrest began on Monday(December 22) when protesters demanding the eviction of alleged encroachers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands went on a rampage, torching the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, around 15 shops in Kheroni Bazaar, and two motorcycles. Protesters also attempted to attack the Kheroni police station, which was foiled by security forces.
According to police, one agitator died allegedly in police retaliation to the violence, while a 32-year-old non-tribal man died after agitators set fire to shops at Kheroni market in the evening. Four people were injured in police firing during the violence, following which Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was imposed.
Tensions escalated after rumours spread that three protesters on hunger strike had been arrested. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma later clarified that no arrests were made and that the protesters were taken to Guwahati for medical treatment due to deteriorating health, adding that the misinformation fuelled the agitation.
Although police reported no fresh incidents earlier on Tuesday, violence broke out later in the Kheroni market area when two groups—one comprising women and children whose shops were burnt earlier and another demanding eviction of encroachers from tribal belt areas—gathered despite prohibitory orders. Stone-pelting between the groups injured several protesters, police personnel and media persons, forcing security forces to resort to lathi-charge and tear gas.
Chief Minister Sarma described the situation as “very sensitive,” while senior minister Ranoj Pegu and Director General of Police Harmeet Singh reviewed the situation on the ground. Pegu said additional forces had been deployed and dialogue was underway. Protesters later called off a 15-day hunger strike after assurances of tripartite talks involving the state government.
Authorities said the situation remains tense but under control.
Disclaimer: All information in this article is drawn from publicly available sources and/or insights provided by the experts consulted.