West Karbi Anglong have been engulfed in unrest, with violent protests over land encroachments claiming at least two lives and injuring more than 50 people, including 48 police personnel. What started as a peaceful hunger strike on December 6 soon turned into arson and mob attacks, leading to prohibitory orders, curfew and an internet shutdown. Opposition parties and tribal leaders have blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government for neglecting tribal rights and failing to resolve long-standing land disputes, especially as the state moves towards assembly elections next year.
The violence broke out on December 23 when protesters seeking eviction of “illegal settlers” from Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) turned aggressive. A mob torched the ancestral home of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief Tuliram Ronghang and several shops and vehicles. Police opened fire to control the situation, resulting in one death on the spot and another later. Over 40 civilians were also injured in the clashes. Though the region has witnessed ethnic tensions earlier, the scale of violence this time has raised serious concerns.
Many tribal groups allege that the BJP government and the KAAC ignored rising encroachment by non-tribal communities on protected tribal land. They say that despite repeated appeals, law enforcement remained weak while development projects were prioritised. Opposition parties including APHLC, AJP and Congress have called it a clear failure of governance and demanded strong legal action and judicial scrutiny. 
Leaders have accused the BJP of running selective eviction drives since 2016, arguing that tough action is often seen only against Muslim settlers, while encroachments in tribal belts go unchecked. The handling of the hunger strike, which continued peacefully for 16 days, has also been questioned. Meanwhile, the government says the matter is before the court and has urged people to maintain peace.
There are leaders who say that the growing influence of Hindutva groups has added to tensions, shifting the narrative from tribal rights to religious identity. This, they say, has alienated many local Karbis despite their shared faith with non-tribal settlers. Supporters of the BJP, however, claim that the opposition is fuelling the unrest for political gain.
The unrest has badly affected normal life. Internet shutdowns and curfews have hit trade, agriculture and tourism, causing heavy losses. Over 1,000 families have been displaced. Tribal leaders warn that unless illegal encroachment is addressed and affected families receive compensation, tensions may rise again. With elections approaching, the violence is being seen as a major test for the BJP’s support base in the autonomous hill district.
