Shops and other properties are seen damaged after violence erupted in Kheroni town and nearby areas of Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, reportedly sparked by rumours and misinformation during a protest over land-related grievances, in Kheroni on December 23, 2024. (IANS Photo)
Dimapur, December 24 (MExN): To maintain law and order, the Indian Army conducted a flag march in the violence-hit West Karbi Anglong district of Assam on December 24, PTI reported, quoting Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that no fresh incidents of violence were reported on Wednesday.
Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat also said that the Indian Army has been requisitioned by civil authorities to help maintain peace in the troubled areas, the report said.
Accordingly, one Army column, consisting of 60–80 personnel, was reportedly deployed in the disturbed areas.
As per the report, two persons were killed and at least 70 others, including over 60 police personnel, were injured in violence between the Karbi and Bihari communities over the last two days at Kheroni in West Karbi Anglong district.
“Army columns have reached here, and they have marched through these areas. The situation is totally under control now. I have covered the entire area myself,” DGP Singh told reporters at the Kheroni area.
Singh, who has been camping at the site since Monday night, said that the police are investigating the violence that occurred over the last two days, the report further informed.
Meanwhile, DGP Singh said police will nab the culprits involved in violence and arson, but the first priority is the stabilisation of the situation.
Singh sustained a shoulder injury during stone-pelting on Tuesday, while IG (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh suffered injuries to his leg, the PTI report added.
He also appealed to people not to indulge in violence and urged elders to make “misguided” youths understand that problems can be resolved only through dialogue, and that every stakeholder in society should come together to handle the situation peacefully.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Assam government imposed prohibitory orders and temporarily suspended internet services in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
According to PTI, the two communities have been at loggerheads over allegations of encroachment on Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) land in tribal belts by Hindi-speaking people and demands for their eviction.
Meanwhile, Assam CM Sarma on Wednesday said the demand by Karbi people to evict alleged Hindi-speaking encroachers from grazing land cannot be accepted immediately due to a stay by the Gauhati High Court, PTI stated in another report.
Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of an official function in Naharkatia that the situation was normal and that no reports of violence had come from any part of the affected district during the day, it added.
