Guwahati, 16th February: The Assam Police has arrested a total of 17 individuals in connection with the violence that erupted in Kheroni, West Karbi Anglong district. Assam Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh shared the news on social media platform X, revealing that a criminal case has been registered regarding the incident.
“A criminal case Kheroni P.S. Case No. 12/2024 U/S-341/147/143/294/120B/153A 325/307/506/427 I.P.C. has been registered, and 17 persons have been arrested till now,” stated the Assam DGP. Singh emphasized that none of the perpetrators would be spared, and additional security measures have been deployed in the area to ensure safety.
“@assampolice would not spare anyone breaking law or indulging in disorderly conduct. All perpetrators of violence would be arrested and taken to task,” asserted Singh. He also mentioned the implementation of additional security measures such as pickets and increased patrolling to instill a sense of security among the inhabitants of the region.
According to police reports, the situation escalated after a group of people was attacked by miscreants following a protest regarding the distribution of land pattas of BGR and PGR in certain parts of West Karbi Anglong district. The protestors were attacked upon their return from the protest at Kheroni.
In the aftermath of the incident, protests erupted in Karbi Anglong district, with local bodies demanding action against those responsible for the attack. Reports indicated road blockades in Lanka and Umrangso by irate protestors, urging the presence of KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang to address the issue.
Meanwhile, local bodies and protestors called for a shutdown in the Karbi Hill areas, leading to a partial paralysis of normal life. The Karbi students body demanded the eviction of non-locals from PGR and BGR lands and issued a 48-hour deadline to the authorities to take action.
West Karbi Anglong district SP Indranil Barua informed India Today NE that members of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) have also reached Kheroni to assess the situation. Police are implementing further precautionary measures in the area to prevent any further untoward incidents.