Guwahati: The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS across Assam’ Karbi Anglong district following violent protests that led to the torching of the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang at Dongkamukam.
Under the prohibitory order, the assembly of more than five persons has been banned, and public meetings, protests and postering in public places have been prohibited until further orders.
The move comes after unrest triggered by the detention of nine protesters who had been on an indefinite hunger strike in the Kheroni area, demanding action against alleged illegal encroachment in Sixth Schedule areas. The situation escalated on Monday, with protesters blocking roads and vandalising property before a section of the mob set fire to the KAAC CEM’s residence.
The administration has deployed additional security forces and appealed to the public to maintain peace, warning that strict action will be taken against those violating the prohibitory orders.
How the violence unfolded
The unrest has its roots in the detention of nine protesters late Sunday night from Felangpi in the Kheroni area. The detainees had been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 16 days, demanding action on a range of local issues. Among those picked up by the police was Litsong Rongfar, a prominent face of the ongoing agitation.
Angered by the detentions, villagers and supporters of the movement gathered at the hunger strike site on Monday morning. As the crowd swelled, tensions escalated. Protesters reportedly blocked roads and vandalised vehicles and shops in the area.
According to a Pratidin Time reporter present at the spot, the protesters later marched towards Dongkamukam. Police attempted to disperse the crowd and resorted to blank firing, a move that further inflamed tempers. Subsequently, a section of the mob allegedly stormed the residence of KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang and set it on fire.
In the violence, at least three protesters sustained injuries. One policeman and a CRPF jawan deployed at the site were also reportedly injured. Security forces later moved in to bring the situation under control.
Background of the hunger strike
The hunger strike was launched to demand the eviction of alleged illegal settlers from Village Grazing Reserves (VGRs) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGRs) in and around Kheroni. Protesters were also calling for stronger safeguards for the indigenous Karbi people in the hill district, which falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Under Sixth Schedule provisions, ownership and occupation of land by non-protected classes is prohibited. The agitators have alleged that large tracts of land in the Karbi Hills have been illegally occupied by outsiders, including people from outside Assam and those who are not Karbis.