Guwahati, Assam – Violent protests erupted in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two people. The unrest was triggered by tribal groups protesting against the settlement of alleged illegal non-tribal settlers in the constitutionally protected hill region. Dozens of police officers were also reported injured during the clashes.
The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), which governs the Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts, has been actively working to evict individuals it deems "illegal settlers" from Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserves (VGR). According to the KAAC, these settlers, comprising approximately 2,086 families, are occupying land illegally.
Tensions have been simmering for some time, with the KAAC's eviction efforts facing both support and opposition. Earlier in the year, an organization representing a Hindi-speaking community submitted a memorandum requesting the legalization of settlements in the West Karbi Anglong district. This move sparked immediate backlash from tribal organizations.
Members of the Karbi Students' Association and the Autonomous State Demand Committee Youth Front staged protests in February 2024, demanding the eviction of settlers from the VGR and PGR lands in both districts. Clashes during these protests resulted in injuries.
The eviction drive and the question of land rights in Karbi Anglong have also drawn political attention. In February 2024, the Congress party raised concerns in the Assam Assembly, asserting that many residents facing eviction possess documents proving residency dating back to 1940 and are included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Jogen Mohan, the state's revenue minister, defended the KAAC's actions, stating that they align with a Supreme Court order and the Karbi Anglong (Land & Revenue) Act of 1953. Tuliram Ronghang, the chief executive member of KAAC, echoed this sentiment.
The situation is further complicated by allegations of double standards in the government's approach to eviction drives. In September 2025, a Karbi youth leader and social activist, Lichong Rongphar, was detained for leading protests demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers. Critics argue that while the government aggressively carries out eviction drives in other parts of Assam, similar demands in Karbi Anglong are met with police crackdowns. Rongphar had been specifically advocating for the removal of Bengali and Bihari settlers occupying VGR and PGR lands and pressing for the cancellation of land deeds issued to non-tribals.
These events highlight the complexities surrounding land rights, historical claims, and demographic shifts in Assam's tribal regions. The recent violence underscores the urgent need for dialogue and a just resolution to the long-standing disputes between tribal communities and settlers in the region. The government's response to the situation will be crucial in ensuring peace and stability in West Karbi Anglong and upholding the rights of all its residents.
