Akhil Gogoi Appeals to Assam CM as Kheroni Remains Tense; Extra Forces Deployed, Internet Curbed

Karbi Anglong, Assam: Security has been intensified in Kheroni village of Assam’s violence-affected Karbi Anglong district, with additional forces deployed on Wednesday morning as the situation remained calm but tense following deadly clashes a day earlier. The unrest left two people dead and at least 45 injured, including 38 police personnel.

Kheroni, located in the Donka subdivision of Karbi Anglong district, witnessed fresh violence on December 23 after protests over the eviction of alleged encroachers from tribal belt land, Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) areas spiralled out of control. The clashes quickly escalated into stone-pelting, arson and attacks on security personnel, prompting the administration to impose prohibitory orders, enforce a night curfew and suspend internet services to prevent the spread of rumours.

Amid the escalating situation, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi wrote to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging urgent intervention to prevent further ethnic unrest and restore law and order in areas under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). In his letter, Gogoi expressed deep concern over visuals of widespread violence, including the torching of the residence of KAAC Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, calling the developments shocking and alarming.

He warned that the deteriorating situation posed a serious risk of ethnic conflict and appealed to the state government to take firm and immediate action to ensure peace and safeguard lives and property in the autonomous districts.

Officials confirmed that two persons were killed during the violence. One victim, identified as Suresh Dey (25), a specially abled youth, was found dead inside a building allegedly set ablaze by agitators. The second victim, Athik Timung, was reportedly killed during clashes between rival groups.

According to police, at least 45 people sustained injuries, including 38 police personnel, among them senior officers. Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh said the violence intensified rapidly despite assurances from protesters. He stated that miscreants resorted to hurling bombs, firing arrows and torching shops, adding that even he sustained injuries during the clashes.

On Tuesday, large crowds gathered at Kheroni Bazaar despite prohibitory orders, including traders whose shops were allegedly burnt earlier. Stone-pelting erupted from both sides, injuring protesters, police and media personnel, forcing security forces to use lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the mobs.

The agitation has its roots in long-standing demands by various organisations seeking eviction of encroachers from PGR and VGR lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. Although protesters had earlier called off a hunger strike after assurances from senior minister Ranoj Pegu regarding tripartite talks, tensions resurfaced amid rumours, mistrust and unresolved legal challenges, including a Gauhati High Court interim order that had stayed eviction drives last year.

As of Wednesday morning, authorities said Kheroni remains under tight security surveillance and the situation is under control, though sensitive. Akhil Gogoi’s appeal has added political pressure on the state government to act swiftly to de-escalate tensions while balancing tribal land rights, legal procedures and the urgent need for peace in one of Assam’s most volatile regions.