The ongoing protest in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district escalated into violence on Monday when police opened fire to disperse demonstrators. This unrest followed an arson attack on the residence of Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). Reports indicate that at least three individuals were injured and required hospitalization after the shooting.
Tensions surged after protesters allegedly set fire to the Dongkamokam residence of Ronghang, leading to a severe law-and-order crisis in the area. In response, police resorted to gunfire in an effort to regain control. A protester expressed outrage, questioning, “Who ordered the firing? The CEM has to take responsibility. We heard gunshots and now three people are hospitalised.”
Conversely, an injured official defended the police’s actions, stating that the situation had spiraled out of control. “It was a strike. Stone-pelting should not have happened,” the official said, implying that the police were compelled to respond to the violent actions of the protesters.
The unrest reportedly originated from a police intervention targeting an indefinite hunger strike that demanded the eviction of non-tribals from Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) in Kheroni. The issue of alleged encroachment on these protected lands has been a long-standing and contentious topic in the region. Earlier on that day, protesters who had been on hunger strike for an extended period were forcibly removed by law enforcement, provoking further anger among demonstrators.
Following the police intervention, protesters obstructed roads and chanted slogans insisting on the immediate release of those who were detained. Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the police firing or confirmed if any arrests have been made in connection with the arson.
On Sunday night, nine protesters who had been engaging in the hunger strike for 16 days at Fealgpi in Kheroni were detained. As of Monday evening, the atmosphere in parts of West Karbi Anglong remained tense, with security forces maintaining an increased presence to prevent further outbreaks of violence.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/west-karbi-anglong-protest-turns-violent-police-open-fire-three-injured-1602132
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-12-22 18:48:00
