Why Assam’s West Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Erupted

Violence in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong Autonomous District over the past week has exposed the deep fault lines around land, identity and autonomy in tribal regions governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. What began as a hunger strike by members of the indigenous Karbi community escalated into deadly clashes, prompting curfew, internet suspension and the deployment of additional security forces.

What Triggered the Unrest in West Karbi Anglong

The immediate trigger was an indefinite hunger strike launched at Phelangpi by Karbi community members, who accused settlers of illegally occupying protected tribal land. The protesters demanded eviction of alleged encroachers from Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) — categories of land that enjoy special protection under the Sixth Schedule.

According to Karbi groups, over 7,184 acres of such land had been encroached upon by non-tribal communities, including Bihari, Nepali and Bengali settlers. These allegations have long simmered in the region but crystallised into protest after repeated appeals for eviction failed to yield results.

How Protests Turned Violent

Tensions spiked sharply on December 22, when authorities moved to clear protesters from Phelangpi and nearby Kheroni village. The government said the intervention was prompted by concerns that some hunger strikers had fallen seriously ill and needed hospitalisation.

The operation, however, led to clashes between protesters and the police. Several people were injured, and two deaths were reported — one allegedly due to police firing, and another during arson. Following this, the administration imposed curfew and suspended internet services across Karbi Anglong to prevent further escalation.

Why Land Is So Sensitive in Karbi Anglong

West Karbi Anglong falls under the Sixth Schedule, which grants significant autonomy to tribal regions in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. The framework is designed to protect tribal land, culture and governance by vesting powers in autonomous councils.

In Karbi Anglong, land is not just an economic resource but central to ethnic identity and political autonomy. Encroachment — real or perceived — is therefore seen as an existential threat, particularly as demographic changes have heightened anxieties among indigenous communities.

The Role of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council

The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is the key institution responsible for land management and local governance. Protesters have expressed anger at the council’s leadership, especially its Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, a close aide of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Many Karbi residents argue that the council has failed to act decisively against encroachment, fuelling distrust toward both the local autonomous structure and the state government.

The Government’s Position and Legal Complications

The Assam government has cited ongoing legal constraints, telling protesters that the Gauhati High Court has put a halt to eviction drives in the area while related cases are under consideration. This legal stand-off has complicated enforcement, leaving authorities caught between judicial orders and local demands.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu visited Kheroni after the violence, appealing for calm and law and order. Residents, however, used the occasion to voice broader grievances — lack of infrastructure, poor connectivity and long-standing neglect — alongside demands for peace.

Why This Flashpoint Matters Beyond Karbi Anglong

The West Karbi Anglong unrest reflects a wider pattern in Assam and the Northeast, where questions of land rights, migration and autonomy intersect. Similar tensions have surfaced in other Sixth Schedule areas, often intensified by demographic change, weak institutional capacity and prolonged legal uncertainty.

At its core, the episode underscores the fragility of peace in autonomous tribal regions when constitutional protections collide with administrative delays and competing claims on land.

What Lies Ahead

While curfew and security deployment may restore short-term calm, the underlying issues remain unresolved. Any durable solution will require transparent land surveys, legally robust eviction or regularisation mechanisms, and credible engagement with autonomous councils and tribal communities.

Without such measures, West Karbi Anglong risks becoming another symbol of how unresolved land disputes can quickly escalate into violence in India’s sensitive frontier regions.