Injured security personnel sit inside an ambulance following violence allegedly triggered by rumours, in West Karbi Anglong, Assam. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Fresh violence was reported from Assam’s trouble-torn Karbi Anglong district for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, with at least eight people injured as a clash between two groups of protestors prompted police to resort to lathi-charge and tear-gas shelling to disperse them, officials said.The clash broke out after a group, including women and children whose shops were burnt by a mob on Monday, came out to protest against the initial violence. Meanwhile, agitators demanding the eviction of encroachers from the tribal belt also gathered in the Kheroni market area.Both sides were agitated, and security forces initially tried to pacify them. However, the situation escalated when the two groups began pelting stones at each other, injuring several protesters, police personnel and media persons covering the incident.As the situation spiralled out of control, police resorted to a lathi charge and later fired tear gas shells to disperse the two groups.The situation remains “tense” in the area, and additional forces have been rushed to the spot.Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the situation in Karbi Anglong as “very sensitive.”“Senior minister Ranoj Pegu is present in the district. I believe the matter will be resolved soon,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a programme. The violence occurred despite prohibitory orders being in force in the area.Earlier on Tuesday, protesters called off their hunger strike demanding the eviction of encroachers from tribal belt areas following talks with Pegu, the state education minister.The agitators, representing several political and social organisations, had been on a hunger strike for the past 15 days, pressing for the eviction of illegal settlers.After Pegu held discussions with the protesters, they withdrew the hunger strike following assurances from the government that tripartite talks on the issue would be held soon.Pegu also assured them that CM Sarma would also be present at the meeting.The violence on MondayOn Monday, four people were injured in police firing after protesters went on a rampage, setting ablaze the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief executive Member Tuliram Ronghang and around 15 shops in Kheroni Bazaar.The mob also attempted to attack the local police station but was thwarted by security forces.Following the violence, Sarma indicated that rumours had circulated claiming three hunger-striking protesters had been arrested, which led others to become “agitated.”“No one has been arrested. They were taken to Guwahati for treatment as their health deteriorated,” he clarified.The protesters are demanding the eviction of “encroachers,” most of whom they claim hail from Bihar, from Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) lands in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.(With PTI inputs)
