Overview
- Authorities confirmed two fatalities — a tribal protester in police action and a non-tribal man who died in a fire — with dozens injured as clashes spread around Kheroni and nearby areas.
- Senior police, including DGP Harmeet Singh and IGP Akhilesh Kumar Singh, were hurt during attacks that involved crude bombs, stones, and bows and arrows, with injury counts for police reported between 38 and 48.
- Mobile internet was suspended across Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, prohibitory orders and night movement curbs remained in force, additional CRPF units were deployed, and the Army was called in to restore order.
- The violence followed a hunger strike by Karbi groups over alleged encroachment on PGR/VGR lands and escalated after rumours about detained activists, with arson reported at KAAC chief Tuliram Ronghang’s ancestral residence and multiple shops.
- State officials and protest leaders agreed to tripartite talks later this week and the hunger strike was paused, as authorities review video evidence and warn of legal action, noting that evictions remain constrained by a Gauhati High Court interim stay.