Mobile internet connections were cut down in the two districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong after fresh violence broke out in the Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong, Assam, on Tuesday, leaving at least two people dead and numerous others injured.
According to sources, a guy from the Bengali community perished in arson at the major market in Kheroni, while a man from the Karbi tribe perished in police action against demonstrators.
At least 58 police officers, including the DGP, IGP, and another IPS official, are reported to have been hurt, however the exact number of people hurt is still unknown.
"I personally went to address the audience. However, they are currently attacking the cops from both directions. IPS personnel are among the approximately 38 police officers that have been hurt.
They had assured us yesterday that we wouldn't demolish any more stores. They pulled cylinders from stores and set them on fire. They are using stones and arrows to attack. Reporters at the scene were informed by Assam DGP Harmeet Singh that there will be no resolution in this manner.
On Tuesday morning, the situation in Kheroni seemed to be improving. The tension in these two tribal majority hill districts, which are governed by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, is related to a hunger strike that has been going on for the past two weeks in Phelangpi, West Karbi Anglong, by nine people who are demanding evictions from PGR (professional grazing reserve) and VGR (village grazing reserve) lands in the council's area, which include Bihari and Nepali families.
This is a long-standing demand by Karbi tribal bodies. Tensions escalated when the hunger strike protesters were removed from the location on Monday, according to police, so they could receive medical care in Guwahati.
Citing "serious apprehension that there might be a likelihood of breach of public peace and tranquillity," the Assam government's Home Department ordered the immediate suspension of internet and mobile data services in the districts following the escalation of violence in the area.
"Social media and internet may be used to further spread inflammatory messages, rumors, etc that may lead to further aggravation of the situation," according to the directive.
Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu visited the region on Tuesday. He said that the demonstrators had opted to end the hunger strike after his visit.
"I encountered members of the Karbi community in Kheroni Phelangpi, where they had been fasting until death and demanding evictions of the encroachments in Kheroni VGR/PGR, among other things.
After I appealed to them, the agitators agreed to end their hunger strike and to have a three-way conversation with the Assamese government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
On December 26, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma would preside over the conversation, he stated. After he departed the area, the violence erupted once more.
