Assam Violence Triggers Army Deployment in West Karbi Anglong, CM Responds

Ethnic clashes in West Karbi Anglong between Karbi and non-Karbi groups have prompted the deployment of Indian Army units and curfew imposition. Authorities aim to restore normalcy, curb misinformation, and foster dialogue through peace committees while monitoring wider regional tensions and land dispute legacies.

Security forces are moving in large numbers to calm fresh ethnic clashes in Assam and Manipur. Indian Army units are on the ground in West Karbi Anglong, while Army and Assam Rifles personnel are also positioned to contain related tensions in Manipur and along the border belt.

The clashes in West Karbi Anglong involve Karbi and non-Karbi groups, with a long-running land dispute at the core. Officials report retaliatory attacks, stone-pelting, and arson, which left at least three people injured and several homes destroyed in and around Donkamokam and Dolamara on Monday evening.

Indian Army deployment in West Karbi Anglong

Authorities quickly requested military support under Section 131 of the CrPC, which lets magistrates call armed forces during serious public disorder. Assam Director General of Police G.P. Singh confirmed the move and stated, "The situation is tense but under control. Army presence will act as a deterrent and help in quick restoration of normalcy," he said.

Army columns from the 6th Battalion of the Assam Regiment and other units under the 51 Sub-Area reached the district by air and road. Troops were deployed in sensitive pockets, including nearby villages, to prevent more clashes and to strengthen the local police and paramilitary presence already in place.

Indian Army deployment and curfew measures

The district administration reimposed an indefinite curfew across violence-affected zones and blocked mobile internet services. Officials said the move aimed to curb rumours and inflammatory content, especially videos and messages that could mobilise crowds. Joint patrolling teams, including police, paramilitary and Army personnel, are now active in mixed-population areas.

Peace committees with representatives from both Karbi and non-Karbi communities have been set up to reduce mistrust. These bodies are expected to report flashpoints, mediate local disputes and support relief work for residents whose houses were burnt. Their feedback will also guide when restrictions and communication curbs can be relaxed.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed the situation from Guwahati and asked officials to prevent any further casualties. Sarma instructed the administration to prioritise talks between community leaders. The Chief Minister also appealed to citizens to stay calm and ignore provocative social media content, especially during the period of the internet shutdown.

West Karbi Anglong, carved from Karbi Anglong district in 2016, has a record of ethnic flare-ups. Past incidents have involved disputes over land rights, alleged illegal settlements and questions about political representation. Officials say this legacy of tension makes even local conflicts highly sensitive and often requires strong preventive deployments.

The latest Indian Army deployment is also linked to a broader security posture in the region. The Army had already been on high alert in Assam due to developments in neighbouring Bangladesh and ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur, where Army and Assam Rifles personnel are tasked with controlling violence-hit pockets and protecting key transport routes.

Officials state that the combined use of curfew, communication curbs, Army patrols and peace committees is beginning to stabilise conditions in West Karbi Anglong. However, they also note that the underlying land dispute and wider regional tensions, including those in Manipur, will need structured dialogue and close monitoring by civil and security agencies.