Guwahati, Jan1: Opposition parties in Assam on Wednesday urged the state government to prioritise rehabilitation and order an impartial probe into the recent communal clashes in West Karbi Anglong district that left two people dead and several injured.

In a joint memorandum submitted to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, leaders of Congress, CPI(M), Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, APHLC, CPI and CPI(ML) Liberation sought financial compensation for the two fatalities — one due to police firing and another who was allegedly burnt alive — and for more than 180 injured persons, including 173 security personnel. The opposition also demanded rehabilitation measures such as livelihood support, employment opportunities, skill training, priority loans, and repair of schools, roads and bridges damaged during the unrest.

The memorandum stressed that rehabilitation should be carried out in line with the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to protect tribal land rights, while maintaining the existing demographic balance in the area. It further demanded the immediate suspension of the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang, and called for an investigation into allegations related to corruption, alleged hidden assets and claims of arms recovery following the demolition of his residence after it was set on fire by a mob.

The violence reportedly began amid protests by Karbi groups over alleged encroachment on Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve lands by settlers. Tensions escalated on December 22 after police removed three hunger-striking protesters, following which incidents of arson and violence were reported in Kheroni Bazar.

A joint opposition delegation visited the affected areas on Tuesday and alleged administrative failure in handling the situation. Army columns were deployed for flag marches in parts of the district to restore normalcy.