Two killed and internet suspended amid violence over land disputes in Assam's Karbi Anglong

The Hindu
The Hindu
59m ago
6 views
Two deaths and internet suspension in Assam's Karbi Anglong amid protests over land rights and grazing reserves.
Two killed and internet suspended amid violence over land disputes in Assam's Karbi Anglong
A What happened
On December 22, 2025, protests erupted in Assam's Karbi Anglong district after a tribal council chief was accused of failing to evict outsiders from government-designated grazing reserves. The unrest escalated, resulting in two fatalities and prompting security forces to suspend internet access to control the situation. This episode reflects longstanding conflicts related to land ownership and management among indigenous communities in the area, underscoring the challenges governments face in balancing local demands and legal frameworks.

Key insights

  • 1

    Land disputes remain a flashpoint for violence in indigenous regions: The incident underscores how unresolved grievances over land and resource control can rapidly escalate into deadly conflicts, especially when linked to ethnic and indigenous identities.

  • 2

    Internet suspension as a conflict management tool demonstrates growing use of: Authorities increasingly rely on internet blackouts to limit communication during unrest, which can reduce immediate violence but raise concerns about information flow and civil rights.

Takeaways

The Karbi Anglong violence illustrates persistent land-related tensions in tribal regions of India and the complex trade-offs authorities face between maintaining order and preserving civil freedoms during conflicts.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation Conflicts Security & Defense Human Rights

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