Diphu, Dec 26: Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has expressed shock over inflammatory slogans targeting the Karbi community during recent unrest in Assam’s Karbi Anglong region, calling for unity and calm as tensions persist.
In a post on X, Gogoi described the slogans as “ignorant and deeply disrespectful” and said they go against Assam’s tradition of togetherness. He appealed to people to remain united and urged the state government to find a constructive way forward.
The statement comes in the wake of violent protests in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts over demands for eviction of alleged encroachers from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands. During the protests, demonstrators torched the residence of the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council near Diphu. Clashes between protesters and security forces led to injuries to three protesters and several police personnel, with police resorting to blank firing.
Gogoi alleged that one protester died due to police action and criticised the government for relying on force instead of dialogue. Assam DGP Harmeet Singh, however, said violence cannot be justified and stated that 48 police personnel were injured during the clashes, while adding that the administration remains open to dialogue.
In response to the situation, the district administration imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) from December 22, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people and enforcing night curfews from 5 pm to 6 am. Restrictions also include bans on rallies, dharnas, torch marches, use of loudspeakers, firearms, firecrackers and inflammatory speeches without prior permission. Essential services, educational institutions and government offices are functioning normally.
Internet services have been suspended in both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts to prevent the spread of misinformation. The government has also transferred West Karbi Anglong Additional Superintendent of Police (HQ) Faiz Ahmed Barbhuiya amid the ongoing situation.
