Assam's Karbi Anglong district is witnessing widespread unrest, with two people killed and over 50 injured, including 40 police personnel, in clashes between protesters and Indian armed forces.   Te situation has led to internet services being suspended in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts to prevent further escalation.

The protests are centered around demands to evict alleged encroachers, mostly non-tribal settlers, from protected tribal lands, including Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) areas. The Karbi tribal community is seeking to protect their ancestral lands and identity, while the non-tribal settlers are seeking legal recognition for their settlements. 

Indian police resorted to baton charges and fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters, further escalating tensions. The situation is tense, with prohibitory orders imposed, internet services suspended, and additional security forces deployed, while authorities have rushed additional forces to the affected areas, particularly Kheroni, to impose control and prevent further escalation. 

The situation in Karbi Anglong remains tense amid deep-rooted disputes over land and eviction drives, which critics say disproportionately affect marginalized communities and fuel anger against the administration. Observers note that such incidents reflect a broader pattern of unrest across India, where socio-political grievances are increasingly met with force rather than dialogue. 

Rights groups argue that recurring violence and aggressive policing highlight the Indian state’s failure to address underlying issues through inclusive and peaceful means.  Analysts say the continuing unrest in Assam and other regions underscores growing internal challenges for India, marked by polarization, coercive governance and shrinking space for dissent. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)