The residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was bulldozed in the early hours of Tuesday, hours after the house was set on fire during violent protests linked to the Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) eviction issue.
According to local sources, a bulldozer was brought to Ronghang’s residence early in the morning to demolish and clear the damaged structure. The house had suffered extensive damage after it was torched by protesters. Ronghang later stated that the decision to bulldoze the house was taken on his own instruction, saying that there was no use keeping the structure after it had been completely gutted by fire.
The demolition came a day after unrest spread across Kheroni and nearby areas of West Karbi Anglong district. Violent protests erupted over the long-pending demand for eviction of alleged non-indigenous settlers from PGR and VGR land. Several houses were set on fire in Kheroni, Hamren and Donkamokam, while vehicles parked along highways were also torched. Shops and private properties were damaged, creating fear among residents. 
Hours before his house was attacked, Ronghang had said that eviction drives in PGR and VGR areas have been kept on hold due to an ongoing case in the Gauhati High Court. He said residents had earlier been served a 15-day notice to vacate the land, following which a public interest litigation was filed. He added that the administration cannot proceed with evictions while the matter is sub judice, warning that any action could invite legal consequences.
As the situation worsened, the district administration imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) across West Karbi Anglong. The order placed strict curbs on movement, banned public gatherings, processions, speeches and the use of loudspeakers, and restricted night-time vehicle movement. Police also fired shots in the air to disperse violent crowds. At least three people, including a police personnel, were injured in clashes.
Senior police officials have been deployed in the area to maintain order. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he is personally monitoring the situation and has directed officials to take all steps necessary to restore peace and normalcy in the district.
