Two Killed in Karbi Anglong Unrest
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma orders deployment of additional forces in Kherani
- Two people killed during violent protests in West Karbi Anglong
- Additional security forces to be deployed in Kherani
- Prohibitory orders imposed under BNSS to prevent further unrest
- Protests erupted over eviction demands from grazing reserve lands
GG News Bureau
Karbi Anglong, 24th Dec: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he is closely monitoring the situation in West Karbi Anglong after two people lost their lives in violent protests in the region.
Expressing grief over the deaths, the Chief Minister announced that additional security forces would be deployed in Kherani to ensure peace and prevent further escalation. In a post on X, Sarma said the government was in constant touch with all stakeholders to restore normalcy and resolve issues through dialogue, adding that all necessary support would be provided to the affected families.
Following the unrest, heavy security deployment was seen across the district. The District Magistrate of Karbi Anglong, Nirola Phangchopi, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) from December 22 until further notice to prevent ethnic or communal disturbances and to safeguard public property.
Under the order, the gathering of five or more persons has been prohibited, along with restrictions on movement of people and private vehicles between 5 pm and 6 am. Rallies, dharnas, torch processions, and picketing have also been banned. The use of loudspeakers, carrying firearms, setting off firecrackers, and circulation of inflammatory or anti-national content has been prohibited without prior permission. Essential services, government offices, educational institutions, and emergency movements have been exempted.
The violence erupted after protesters, who were staging sit-in demonstrations demanding the eviction of alleged illegal encroachers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands, allegedly set fire to the house of the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
Protesters also pelted stones and attacked security personnel, forcing the police to resort to blank firing to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
