Guwahati, Dec 25: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the state government cannot immediately act on demands to evict alleged Hindi-speaking encroachers from grazing reserves in West Karbi Anglong district due to a stay order issued by the Gauhati High Court.
Speaking to reporters at Naharkatia, Sarma said eviction from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) land can only be carried out with court approval. He stated that any action taken in violation of the court order would amount to contempt of court.
The remarks came amid clashes between Karbi and Bihari communities in the Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong over disputes related to grazing reserve land. The violence over the past two days left two people dead, including a physically disabled man, and more than 70 injured. Over 60 of the injured are police personnel.
To control the situation, the Indian Army was requisitioned and carried out a flag march in the affected areas. One column comprising around 60 to 80 Army personnel was deployed. Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, who sustained a shoulder injury during stone-pelting, visited the area and said the situation was under control.
The DGP stated that video footage of the incidents has been collected and legal action would be taken against those identified. He appealed to all sides to resolve issues through dialogue rather than violence.
The Chief Minister said that all eviction drives conducted by the state in the past were carried out after obtaining court permission. He added that the rights of people settled on grazing reserve land must be decided through legal processes. Sarma urged groups to protest peacefully and said a tripartite meeting involving the state government, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and representatives of the agitators is planned.
Sarma said the immediate priority of the administration is to restore normalcy. He noted that the situation had improved, with shops reopening and discussions underway between communities.
Officials said three Karbi youths injured in police firing are in stable condition at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Meanwhile, members of the Hindi-speaking and Bengali communities held protests over the death of the physically disabled man, blocking roads and demanding arrests, compensation of Rs 20 lakh and justice.
Senior officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary and the DGP, remain stationed in the district. The Chief Minister said he was hopeful that conditions would stabilise further by nightfall.
