Guwahati: Four people were injured on Monday after police opened fire to disperse violent protesters in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders in Karbi Anglong and neighbouring West Karbi Anglong districts, officials said.
The unrest escalated after a group of agitators set ablaze the old residence of the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) at Donkamokam.
Security forces opened fire to control the situation, leaving three protesters and a policeman injured, officials said.
Following the violence, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were imposed in both districts amid fears that certain groups or individuals could disrupt public peace and endanger life and property.
In Karbi Anglong district, District Magistrate Nirola Phangchopi imposed a night curfew, restricting the movement of individuals, groups and private vehicles from 5 pm to 6 am until further orders.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the agitation was linked to demands for the eviction of alleged encroachers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.
However, he noted that an interim order of the Gauhati High Court has stayed eviction drives.
“The administration cannot carry out evictions when there is a court order,” Sarma said.
Director General of Police Harmeet Singh is camping in the area and holding discussions with protest leaders to defuse the situation.
The protesters, belonging to several political and social organisations, have been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days, demanding the eviction of illegal settlers from PGR and VGR lands. Tensions flared in the Kheroni area when police allegedly attempted to remove the protesters forcibly, leading to clashes.
The agitators alleged that three hunger-striking protesters were arrested, a claim denied by the authorities. KAAC chief Tuliram Ronghang later said the three were admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital after their health condition deteriorated.
As news of the clash spread, a group of protesters attacked and set fire to the vacant residence of the KAAC CEM. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames. No one was injured in the blaze, but the house was extensively damaged, officials said.
Additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.
Under the prohibitory orders, no procession, rally, public march, demonstration or assembly of five or more persons will be allowed.
The orders also prohibit the circulation of statements or content — verbal, written, printed or on social media — that could disturb public peace or incite unrest.
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The restrictions came into effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice.
The chief minister said rumours about the alleged arrest of hunger-striking protesters triggered the violence. “No one has been arrested. They were taken to Guwahati for medical treatment as their health condition worsened,” Sarma said.
