Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Assam Faces Fresh Communal Tensions
In late 2025, Assam saw fresh violence in the West Karbi Anglong district.
The Karbi people, one of the oldest groups in the Northeast, accused Bihari and Bengali Hindu settlers of illegally building homes on reserved grazing lands meant for livestock.
These lands are protected under special laws, but the settlers were accused of taking them over.
The Karbi people were angry because they felt their rights were being ignored.
The situation got worse over time, leading to fights and fear in the area.
The local government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council were blamed for not stopping the encroachment.
This all started in early 2024 when the Karbi people first raised their concerns.
Fresh violence erupted in West Karbi Anglong, Assam, in late 2025, involving the Karbi community and Bihari and Bengali Hindu settlers.
The Karbi people accused the settlers of encroaching on reserved grazing lands meant for livestock.
The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the Assam government were criticized for not preventing the encroachment.
The Karbi people felt their rights under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution were being diluted.
The situation escalated over time, leading to communal tensions and violence in the area.
- Who
- Karbi community, Bihari and Bengali Hindu settlers, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Assam government
- What
- Communal tensions and violence over land encroachment in West Karbi Anglong
- When
- Late 2025, with roots in early 2024
- Where
- West Karbi Anglong, Assam
- Why
- Alleged encroachment on reserved grazing lands by Bihari and Bengali Hindu settlers
- Event Date
- Late 2025
- Location
- West Karbi Anglong, Assam
- Key Communities
- Karbi, Bihari, Bengali Hindu
- Population Density
- 63 persons per square kilometre
- Land Area
- 13% of Assam's land mass
- Population Percentage
- 3.7% of Assam's population
- Controversial Land
- Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserve (VGR)
- Legal Status
- No legal entitlement to settle in reserve grazing lands
Sources
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