Mobile internet services were suspended across the districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong on Tuesday evening after violence resurfaced in the Kheroni area, leaving several civilians and police personnel injured and prompting an emergency security response from the state administration.
Officials ordered the curbs as clashes escalated around the local market in Kheroni, where groups of protesters set shops and vehicles ablaze, according to video footage circulating on social media and accounts from residents. Police units deployed tear gas to disperse crowds as tensions spiked for a second straight day, while additional forces were rushed in to prevent the unrest from spreading to nearby localities.
The flare-up followed disturbances that began on Monday afternoon, when confrontations were reported between rival groups in and around Kheroni, a town that has witnessed periodic bouts of unrest linked to local grievances and identity-related disputes. While the precise trigger for the latest violence remains under investigation, security officials said the situation deteriorated rapidly on Tuesday evening, forcing authorities to adopt emergency measures, including the temporary suspension of mobile data services.
Police officials declined to provide immediate figures on the number of injured or the scale of property damage, citing the fluid situation on the ground. Several injured persons were taken to nearby health facilities, while some police personnel sustained injuries during efforts to contain the violence, officials familiar with the operation said. Fire services were deployed to douse blazes in the market area, though access was hindered by stone-pelting and road obstructions.
The internet shutdown, limited to mobile data services, was imposed to curb the spread of rumours and inflammatory content, a step authorities have increasingly relied on during episodes of unrest in the Northeast. District administrations said the measure would be reviewed periodically based on the evolving law-and-order situation, with assurances that essential services would not be affected.
Kheroni lies close to the boundary between Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts, a region with a complex socio-political history shaped by ethnic diversity, autonomous governance arrangements and longstanding demands related to land, representation and development. Analysts note that tensions in such areas can escalate quickly, particularly when local disputes intersect with broader political or social fault lines.
Security presence was intensified across sensitive points in both districts, with senior police officers monitoring developments on the ground. Checkpoints were set up on key roads leading to Kheroni, and night patrols were increased to deter further incidents of arson or vandalism. Authorities also appealed to community leaders to intervene and help defuse tensions through dialogue.
Residents described scenes of fear and uncertainty as shops shut early and families stayed indoors amid the clashes. “There was heavy smoke and loud noises from the market side. People were running, and the police were trying to push everyone back,” said a shopkeeper who requested anonymity, citing safety concerns.
The state government has sought detailed reports from district officials and law enforcement agencies on the sequence of events and the response measures taken. While no formal statement was issued late Tuesday night, officials indicated that restoring calm and preventing loss of life were the immediate priorities.
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