Kheroni violence left 173 security personnel injured, 2 dead: Police

Guwahati: Assam Police on Saturday confirmed that altogether 173 security personnel from Assam Police and CRPF were injured in the violent clashes on December 22 and 23 in West Karbi Anglong district, where two people lost their lives.Police said that the situation in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong was gradually stabilising, with no fresh incidents reported.Security forces continue to maintain strict vigil, with prohibitory orders in place and internet services suspendedAssam Police stated in an official post on X, “139 (perosnnel) received first aid at the spot, while 33 were sent for treatment to various hospitals.” .The unrest stemmed from a 15-day hunger strike by agitators from the Karbi community, demanding eviction of alleged illegal settlers — mostly from Bihar — from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands in tribal belts.Tensions escalated on Monday when police removed three protestors from the site in the early hours, reportedly to shift them to a Guwahati hospital as their health deteriorated. The administration later clarified the move was for hospitalisation, but the action triggered anger among agitators.On Tuesday, violence engulfed the Kheroni area. One person was killed in police firing, while another was burnt alive inside his house, marking the peak of the unrest.The issue of settlers on grazing lands has been simmering for years. An eviction attempt last year was halted after a petition in the Gauhati High Court, which passed an interim stay order.In a bid to restore calm, a tripartite meeting was convened on Friday between the state government, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), and protestors. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured that the government would move the Gauhati High Court for an early order on lifting the stay, enabling eviction of settlers from grazing lands in both districts.