Diphu (Assam): At least four people, including a police personnel, were injured on Monday after security forces opened fire to disperse violent protesters who allegedly torched the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang in Diphu, officials said.
The unrest erupted amid a prolonged agitation by several political and social organisations, which have been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
According to officials, tension escalated in the Kheroni area when police attempted to remove the protesters, leading to clashes.
ALSO READ: Orchids of Stone and Shadows on the Track: The Silent Crisis of Assam’s Giants
As news of the confrontation spread, a group of agitators allegedly went on the rampage and set fire to the old residence of the KAAC chief executive member at Donkamokam.
Security forces resorted to firing to control the situation, during which three protesters and a policeman sustained injuries, officials said.
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze.
No one was inside the house at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported from the fire, though the property suffered significant damage.
Authorities have deployed additional security forces across the area to prevent further violence and maintain law and order, officials added.
