Assam: Section 163 Imposed in West Karbi Anglong After Violent Protests
Assam Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu and Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh reached the site to assess the situation
Karbi Anglong (Assam): Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been imposed in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district following an escalation of tensions to maintain public order and peace.
A prohibitory order issued by Karbi Anglong District Magistrate Nirola Phangchopi enforced Section 163 from December 22, 2025, until further notice. The measure aims to prevent anti-social elements from triggering ethnic or communal disturbances and to safeguard public life and property.
Under the order, gatherings of five or more people are prohibited. There is also a complete restriction on the movement of people and private vehicles between 5:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
The order bans rallies, picketing, torch (Mashal) processions and dharnas in public places. Carrying firearms, bursting firecrackers, making inflammatory or anti-national speeches, displaying provocative posters, wall writing, and the use of loudspeakers or microphones without prior permission are also prohibited.
Police, military personnel and officials on duty are exempt from movement restrictions, while individuals facing medical emergencies are allowed to move.
Educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities conducting examinations, as well as government and private offices, will continue to function normally.
Assam Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu and Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh reached the site to assess the situation.
The situation escalated after protesters demanding the eviction of alleged illegal encroachers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands set the house of the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) on fire.
The incident occurred in the Dongkamukam area near Kheroni in West Karbi Anglong district. Three protesters and several security personnel were injured in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
According to police, protesters pelted stones and attacked security personnel, forcing the police to resort to blank firing to bring the situation under control.
A senior police official said additional security personnel have been deployed to restore normalcy in the area.
IGP (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh told ANI, “We are mobilising extra forces to bring the situation to normalcy. The mob also set ablaze the residence of the CEM of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Some security personnel got minor injuries, and we are collecting the data.”
Reports indicate that violence broke out after police picked up a few protesters on Monday morning. Following this, local residents blocked roads, marched towards Dongkamukam, and set fire to the ancestral residence of KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang.
Another mob reportedly damaged several houses, a school bus, and other structures in a basti area near Dongkamukam. Senior police officials have since rushed to the area.
The protest is linked to a long-standing demand to evict settlers from PGR and VGR lands. While the KAAC issued eviction notices in February 2024, the process has been stalled due to a petition in the Gauhati High Court citing concerns of contempt of court. More details are awaited.
