Violence erupts again in Karbi Anglong, Assam: many protesters, policemen and media personnel injured, curfew imposed in the area.

Diphu/Guwahati. Violence broke out again in Assam’s restive Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday as two groups of protesters clashed and police had to resort to lathi charge as well as tear gas shells to disperse them. Officials said at least eight people were reported injured in the latest violence.

According to officials, despite prohibitory orders being imposed, a large number of people, including children and women, took to the streets in Kheroni Bazaar area to protest against the violence, whose shops were burnt by the mob on Monday. He said that the agitators demanding eviction of encroachers from the tribal area also gathered on the streets of Kheroni Bazaar area. A senior police officer said that there was huge anger between both the groups and the security forces deployed in the area were trying to pacify them.

He said that suddenly people from both the groups started pelting stones at each other, in which many protesters, policemen and media persons were injured. According to the officer, when the situation went out of control, the police had to resort to lathicharge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the protesters from both groups. He said the situation in the area is “tense” and additional forces have been sent to the spot. The official said that earlier the protesters had set two motorcycles on fire in the Kheroni area.

“The situation in Karbi Anglong is very sensitive. Senior minister Ranoj is present in Pegu district. I am confident that the matter will be resolved soon,” Chief Minister Himanta Vishwa Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Guwahati. Earlier on Tuesday, the protesters ended their hunger strike demanding eviction of encroachers from tribal areas after talks with Pegu.

The agitators belonging to various political parties and social organizations were on a 15-day hunger strike demanding eviction of people living illegally in Commercial Grassland Reserve (PGR) and Village Grassland Reserve (VGR) in Karbi Anglong and neighboring West Karbi Anglong districts. Pegu spoke to the protesters and assured them that the government would soon hold tripartite talks on the issue, after which they ended their hunger strike.

Pegu said that the Chief Minister will also participate in the talks. Four people, including a policeman, were injured when security forces clashed with angry protesters who set on fire the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief Tuliram Ronghang and about 15 shops in Kheroni market in Assam’s Diphu on Monday. Police allegedly tried to forcibly remove protesters in Kheroni area of ​​Karbi Anglong, leading to a clash.

The protesters also attempted to attack the Kheroni police station on Monday, but were foiled by security forces. In view of the situation, prohibitory orders were imposed in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. Night curfew was also imposed in Karbi Anglong, under which movement of any individual or group and private vehicles was prohibited in the entire district from 5 pm to 6 am.

Pegu reached Kheroni on Monday night to take stock of the situation. Director General of Police (DGP) Harmeet Singh also reached Karbi Anglong and visited the affected areas and took stock of the situation. Earlier, Pegu had said that additional forces from neighboring districts have been sent to the area and “the situation is under control.”

He had said, “A section of people are angry that encroachers are settling on PGR and VGR land. Last year, an attempt was made to evict them, but a petition was filed in the Gauhati High Court, which stayed the eviction process by passing an interim order.”

Pegu had said that the matter could be resolved only through dialogue. He had said, “We are talking to both the protesters and the encroachers.” Chief Minister Sharma had said on Monday night that rumors had started spreading that three protestors sitting on hunger strike had been arrested, due to which he became agitated.

He had clarified, “No one has been arrested. However, in view of his deteriorating health, he has been taken to Guwahati for treatment.” Sharma had said that he is in touch with the district officials and leaders of the protesting organizations. He had said, “We hope that the situation will come under control by tonight.”