The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang, on Monday said that his house was set on fire by enraged protesters because of a misunderstanding about the police taking hunger strike protesters for medical check-up. He said that the protesters thought the hunger strike protesters were arrested and that this rumour quickly spread, leading to anger and mob violence.
Ronghang said this at a press conference held after the incident. He explained the events that led up to the fire. His residence was attacked and allegedly burnt down by a crowd. According to him, the mob arrived suddenly and set fire to the structure using petrol. There was no one inside the house at that time. Ronghang said his father is undergoing treatment in Guwahati and that is why no family member was present.
The house caught fire and was destroyed before anyone could stop it. Villagers nearby tried to intervene, but they backed away out of fear because the mob was carrying petrol and was aggressive. Local people feared for their own safety and did not take the risk of confronting the attackers. The incident sparked fear and shock in the area. 
The protest began as a hunger strike called by a group opposing the eviction of people settled on PGR (Professional Grazing Reserve) and VGR (Village Grazing Reserve) lands. According to Ronghang, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the Government of Assam had decided to evict illegal settlers from these reserve lands in compliance with Supreme Court orders. He said eviction notices were issued to people living on PGR and VGR lands. The council also decided to terminate 11 village headmen appointed by the council because they were accused of supporting illegal settlement.
However, the affected settlers filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging the eviction. Ronghang stated at the press conference that since the case is ongoing, the council is legally restricted. He said that if eviction is carried out while the case continues, they could be held guilty under contempt of court as per the Contempt of Court Act, 1971, under Section 12. Because of this, he said eviction cannot take place until the court case is resolved.
He said the protesters know this, yet they continued the hunger strike. According to him, the council had tried to speak with the protesters. He said that a meeting was scheduled at 4 pm and written invitations were sent to them. But he said that none of the protesters came to attend the meeting. He said the council believed dialogue could resolve the issue.
During the hunger strike, some protesters needed medical attention. The police arrived and took them for medical check-ups. According to the CEM, the protesters were informed that this was for treatment only and not for arrest. He said the police did not arrest anyone and only escorted them for health examination. But a misunderstanding spread among villagers and protesters that the hunger strikers were arrested. This misunderstanding triggered outrage. A group marched to Ronghang’s residence and set it ablaze.
Speaking at the press conference, Ronghang said, “A misunderstanding led to the torching of my house. The police took hunger strike protesters only for medical check-up, but people thought they were arrested.” He said the violence could have been avoided if the protesters had come to the meeting called by the council.
Ronghang appealed to the people of Karbi Anglong to choose peace and dialogue. He repeated several times that he believed the matter can be solved through discussion. He urged all citizens not to take the path of violence. “Violence cannot solve anything. We can sort this out peacefully. We have given it in writing that we will find a solution,” he said.
He also urged the protesters to obey the court process and let the legal system proceed. He said that the council respects the court and must follow legal procedures.
The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council says it is following the Supreme Court order and state government policy. But local groups claim they have lived there for decades and have nowhere else to go. The dispute has escalated in recent years, with growing pressure from courts and authorities to clear encroachments.
The hunger strike had been ongoing for several days before the incident. Protesters had demanded that eviction notices be withdrawn and that settlement be regularized. They accused the council of ignoring their pleas. Meanwhile, the council said it was legally bound to carry out eviction but could not act until the High Court case concludes.
Ronghang said he and his council had notified the protesters that the eviction is halted because of the court case, and therefore immediate fears of removal are unfounded. He said despite this clarification, the protest continued.
Ronghang appealed again for peace. He said he understands the emotional pain of the settlers, but added that protestors must follow legal channels. He said he is still ready to talk to resolve the matter. “I request everyone to maintain peace,” he said, stressing that dialogue can help prevent further violence.
