HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Dec. 22: West Karbi Anglong district witnessed a sharp escalation of tension on Monday after the forcible removal of hunger strikers from Phelangpi in the early hours, triggering massive road blockades, violent protests and an attack on the ancestral home of Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
The indefinite hunger strike, led by Litsong Ronghang who has claimed no affiliation to any organisation, has been continuing for over 15 days demanding eviction of alleged illegal settlements from Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve land in the Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong.
The situation took a dramatic turn around 2–3 am when hunger strikers were reportedly picked up from the agitation site by men dressed in black, some allegedly wearing balaclavas, with only one uniformed policeman accompanying them.
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Protesters alleged that AK-47 rifles were pointed at the agitators and that some hunger strikers managed to escape during the operation.
Angered by what they described as heavy-handed police action reminiscent of extremist tactics, thousands of Karbi and other indigenous residents staged a massive road blockade at Kheroni Bridge (Thong Nokbe).
Women, elders, youths and students from nearby villages joined the protest, sitting on the road and raising slogans demanding the immediate release of the detained agitators and protection of reserved grazing lands.
The blockade soon intensified as protesters marched towards Donkamokam, the home constituency of the KAAC CEM, creating a highly volatile situation. In the ensuing unrest, an irate mob attacked and set fire to the parental home of Tuliram Ronghang at Artukekang village.
The extent of damage to the house is yet to be ascertained.
Police fired blank shots in the air to bring the situation under control as tension ran high in and around Kheroni, amid fears of ethnic fallout and rumours of possible attacks on non-Karbi villages.
Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed across sensitive areas, while security was significantly tightened around the KAAC CEM’s bungalow in Diphu following the arson incident.
An Executive Magistrate from the DC office, West Karbi Anglong district, Hamren, visited the blockade site and attempted to engage with the protesters.
However, demonstrators insisted on direct talks with the KAAC Chief Executive Member.
Responding to the developments, CEM Tuliram Ronghang told the media that the issue is currently sub judice.
“There is a PIL case going on. While the matter is sub judice, I cannot do anything. If I do anything, it will be contempt of court and I will be thrown in jail,” he said.
The situation remains tense and fluid, with authorities closely monitoring developments as more supporters continue to join the agitation demanding eviction from protected grazing reserve lands.
