Assam Burns: Mob Torches Council Chief's Home Amid Grazing Land Protests
Image Source: Internet
A violent mob in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district set fire to the ancestral home of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief Tuliram Ronghang on Monday, prompting widespread unrest and a curfew-like crackdown. The incident sparked clashes between protesters and security forces over demands to evict alleged encroachers from protected grazing lands. The protests, which have been ongoing for 16 days, center around allegations of encroachment on about 7,184 acres of protected grazing land by non-protected communities. Protesters claim that the land ownership ban under the Sixth Schedule has been violated, leading to tensions between local residents and outsiders. As news of the detentions of nine protesters, including a youth leader, from an indefinite hunger strike site on Sunday night spread, large crowds gathered on Monday morning, blocking roads and clashing with security personnel. Police fired blank rounds to control the mob, but tensions intensified, culminating in the attack on Ronghang's residence. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed for calm, stating that the government is open to talks and will take up the matter with higher authorities. The district administrations of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong have imposed curfew-like restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, prohibiting gatherings, public meetings, and movement of individuals and private vehicles between 5 pm and 6 am. The situation has left at least three protesters and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan injured. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu is scheduled to visit the district to hold discussions with the protesters, while Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh has reached Karbi Anglong to assess the situation.
