The Assam government has suspended internet services in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts following violent clashes over land eviction drives. Authorities cited serious law and order concerns and the risk of misinformation spreading online as reasons for the suspension. Voice calls and fixed-line broadband services remain functional.
The unrest escalated on December 23, 2025, when confrontations broke out between groups opposing and supporting eviction operations in Kheroni and Dongkamokam areas. At least eight people were injured as police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse crowds.
The conflict is rooted in disputes over land reserved for indigenous communities under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which empowers tribal councils to govern land and forest management. Local residents, primarily from the Karbi community, have been demanding the eviction of non-tribal settlers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands, which are legally protected.
Tensions rose further when some hunger strike leaders were taken to Guwahati for medical checks, a move misinterpreted by some protesters as arrests. This fueled additional confrontations, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 to restore peace.
Senior officials, including ministers, are on the ground monitoring the situation, emphasizing dialogue with local leaders to calm tensions. The government has stated that internet services will remain suspended until the law and order situation stabilizes.
Officials have urged residents to cooperate with authorities and avoid spreading unverified information, noting that the suspension is necessary to prevent rumors from worsening the situation.
The recent clashes highlight the ongoing challenges in Assam’s tribal districts, where disputes over land rights frequently spark unrest. Authorities are working to balance law enforcement with safeguarding tribal interests and community safety.
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