Assam: Internet shutdown continues for the fifth day in West Karbi Anglong
Guwahati: Mobile internet shutdown continued for the fifth consecutive day on December 28 in Assam’s Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts as authorities kept restrictions in place following violent protests over land eviction demands in the Kheroni area, officials said.
The administration suspended mobile data services on December 23 to prevent the spread of rumours after clashes erupted over the proposed eviction of alleged encroachers from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands. Officials reported no fresh incidents in recent days but maintained prohibitory orders and a heavy security presence as a precaution.
Police said the situation had largely stabilised, though the violence earlier in the week caused extensive injuries. At least 173 security personnel, including members of Assam Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were injured during clashes on December 22 and 23 within Kheroni police station limits in West Karbi Anglong. Authorities administered first aid to 139 personnel on the spot and shifted 33 others to hospitals for further treatment.
The unrest claimed two civilian lives. Officials confirmed that police firing killed one person, while another died after miscreants set his house on fire during the violence on Tuesday. Protesters also torched several properties in the affected areas.
Karbi community agitators launched the agitation after a 15-day hunger strike demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers, reportedly from Bihar, from grazing reserve lands in the tribal belt. Tensions escalated when police removed three hunger-striking protesters in the early hours, citing deteriorating health and the need for hospitalisation, a move that triggered widespread anger.
Earlier eviction attempts had stalled after petitioners moved the Gauhati High Court, which issued an interim stay on the process.
To ease tensions, the state government convened a tripartite meeting on Friday involving officials, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and representatives of the protesters. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government would approach the Gauhati High Court to seek an early hearing on the stay related to eviction from PGR and VGR lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
