Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 26th December, announced a series of decisions to ease tensions in West Karbi Anglong, saying that while cases related to evictions from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands remain pending before the Gauhati High Court, the state will move ahead with fencing vacant PGR and VGR lands and cancelling trade licences of commercial establishments operating on them.
In a meeting with representatives of various organisations from Karbi Anglong, HCM Dr. @himantabiswa reiterated the Govt of Assam’s firm commitment to the holistic and inclusive development of the region.
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) December 26, 2025
The discussions focused on key community-related concerns, welfare… pic.twitter.com/c9eMckHgMg
The decisions were taken after a meeting between the Chief Minister, representatives of Karbi community organisations, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, held in the backdrop of unrest in the district earlier this week. Sarma said that all cases related to the recent protests will be withdrawn, except those connected to the death of a man during incidents of arson.
West Karbi Anglong has witnessed serious tension over the past few days, particularly in the Kheroni area. Violence in the region led to the death of two residents. Suraj Dey died after his house was set on fire, while Linus Phangcho succumbed to injuries sustained during police action against a protesting mob. Several police personnel were also injured, and there was widespread damage to property due to arson.
The unrest is linked to long-standing demands for the eviction of non-Karbi residents, especially people from Bihar who have settled in the area. The issue revolves around large tracts of PGR and VGR land, which fall under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and are protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard tribal rights.
The KAAC had announced a decision in February last year that around 2,000 families would be evicted from over 7,000 acres of PGR and VGR land. But the process did not move forward after 339 residents filed writ petitions in the High Court. The court granted stay orders and sought an affidavit from the KAAC to clarify whether the occupied lands were officially classified as PGR or VGR.
Following Friday’s meeting, Sarma said the KAAC has been directed to submit its affidavit to the High Court by the 5th of January. He added that Karbi organisations will also place their views before the court as parties to the case. The state government will request the court to take an early decision, given the sensitive nature of the issue, so that further action can be taken in line with its orders.
The Chief Minister also said that all government offices currently built on PGR and VGR land will be shifted elsewhere. He announced that the KAAC will soon fence around 8,000 bighas of vacant PGR and VGR land and carry out plantation work to prevent future encroachment. In addition, trade licences of all commercial establishments operating on these lands will be cancelled immediately.
Sarma further stated that land belonging to other departments in Karbi Anglong, including irrigation and soil conservation, has also been encroached upon, and eviction drives will be carried out there as well. He announced that the KAAC will provide a job to the next of kin of Linus Phangcho, while the state government will give an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the family.
The Chief Minister said another meeting with all stakeholders on the issue will be held on 16th or 17th January. Representatives of Karbi groups who attended the meeting said the discussions marked a beginning, but were cautious in their response.
Litsong Rongphar, who had been on a hunger strike over the issue, said they would first convey the decisions to their people and listen to their views before deciding on the next course of action.
