Guwahati: BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary said on Saturday, April 8, that the Bodoland Territorial Council will obtain a detailed report from the Forest Department regarding the recent violence in Runikhata, in Assam’s Chirang district.
Speaking to the media in Dhaligaon, he noted that law and order matters fall under the state government, not BTC, and therefore any further action will depend on its findings and decisions.
He said the council will examine the eviction drive’s execution to determine if procedural errors sparked the tension.
Mohilary said BTC will formally request the report from the Forest Department on Monday and expects a proper inquiry into the incident.
Commenting on allegations of political involvement, he said such possibilities cannot be completely dismissed, but stressed that responsibility should not be attributed to an entire community for the actions of a few individuals. He said those found guilty will face legal consequences.
He further said that only after the departmental report is submitted will clarity emerge regarding claims of attacks on police personnel and a journalist’s vehicle. According to him, the Forest Department’s role is to protect forest land, and the report will examine whether officials followed proper procedure during the operation.
Mohilary also announced that he, along with BTC executive members and councillors, will visit Runikhata later in the day to assess the situation on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Assam government suspended mobile internet and data services in Chirang and adjoining Kokrajhar districts on Friday as a precautionary measure. Officials said the step was taken to prevent the spread of rumours and inflammatory content that could worsen the situation. Voice calls and fixed-line broadband services remain active.
Security has been stepped up across the region, with RAF, CRPF, and state police units maintaining round-the-clock patrolling. Overnight, authorities picked up around 15 additional individuals, pushing the total arrests in connection with the incident to 19. Those detained have been lodged in different police stations and outposts in the district.
Officials said further detentions cannot be ruled out as the investigation moves forward. The situation in Runikhata remained stable when this report was filed, although security forces continue to stay deployed to prevent any fresh outbreak of violence.