Mob Violence Erupts in Assam's West Karbi Anglong, Two Dead and Dozens Injured

Deadly Clashes Rock West Karbi Anglong

Mob violence escalated in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district on Monday, December 22, 2025, and continued into Tuesday, December 23, leading to the deaths of two individuals and injuries to over 45 people, including a significant number of police personnel. The unrest, centered around the Kheroni and Dongkamukam areas, stemmed from long-standing demands for the eviction of non-tribal settlers from protected grazing lands.

One victim, a tribal man, reportedly died during police action, while a non-tribal man was tragically charred to death in a building set ablaze by agitators. Among the injured were at least 38 police personnel, including Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Harmeet Singh and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhilesh Kumar Singh, who sustained injuries from stones, crude bombs, and arrows.

Roots of the Unrest and Property Destruction

The violence was ignited by protests from the Karbi community, who have been demanding the removal of settlers, primarily Hindi-speaking individuals with origins in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands. These lands fall under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which safeguards tribal land rights. The immediate trigger for the escalation was the alleged forceful removal of several hunger-striking protesters, who had been agitating for two weeks, from their demonstration site.

The mob's rampage resulted in extensive property damage. Key incidents include:

• The ancestral home of Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), was set on fire.
• Approximately 15 shops and other commercial establishments in the Kheroni market area were torched.
• Several other houses, a school bus, and various structures were damaged or set ablaze.
• Protesters reportedly used gas cylinders to incinerate commercial hubs.

Official Response and Ongoing Efforts

In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, authorities swiftly implemented measures to control the unrest. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (formerly Section 144 CrPC), banning public gatherings, were imposed across the affected districts. Mobile internet services in both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts were suspended indefinitely to prevent the spread of misinformation and further escalation.

Additional security forces have been deployed to maintain peace and restore normalcy. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is closely monitoring the situation and has expressed grief over the loss of lives. Tripartite talks involving the state government, the KAAC, and representatives of the protesting groups have been scheduled for late December or early January to address the underlying issues and find a peaceful resolution.