Guwahati: A total of 173 security personnel from the Assam Police and CRPF were injured during violent clashes earlier this week in West Karbi Anglong district, which also saw the deaths of two civilians, police said on Saturday.
Authorities said the situation in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts is gradually stabilising, with no fresh incidents reported.
”173 personnel of the Assam Police and @crpfindia were injured in the incidents on 22–23 December 2025 under Kheroni PS under West Karbi Anglong. 139 received first aid at the spot, while 33 were sent for treatment to various hospitals”, the Assam Police said in a post on X.
Security forces continue to maintain a strong presence in the area, with internet services suspended and prohibitory orders still in effect.
The unrest followed a 15-day hunger strike by members of the Karbi community, who were demanding the removal of alleged illegal settlers, mostly from Bihar, from the Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands in the tribal regions.
Tensions escalated on Monday, December 22, after police removed three hunger-striking protesters from the site in the early hours, reportedly taking them to a Guwahati hospital due to their deteriorating health.
The administration later stated that the move was necessary for their hospitalisation.
Violence spread in the Kheroni area on Tuesday, resulting in one person being killed in police firing and another reportedly burnt alive inside his house.
Authorities had attempted an eviction drive last year, but a petition filed in the Gauhati High Court led to an interim stay on the process.
To ease tensions, a tripartite meeting was held on Friday, December 26, 2025, involving the state government, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), and the protest representatives.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured that the government would approach the Gauhati High Court to seek an early hearing on the stay concerning eviction from grazing lands in both districts.
