Assam: Clashes erupt between forest officials, Adivasis during eviction drive, internet suspended

Tensions erupted in Assam’s Chirang district along the India-Bhutan border after an eviction drive aimed at clearing alleged encroachment on reserved forest land led to clashes between forest personnel and Adivasi protesters, The Assam Tribune reported.

This came after a late-night confrontation on Thursday, when forest officials detained 25 Adivasis for allegedly encroaching on land in the Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest, The Hindu reported. Several locals, including women, subsequently gathered at the Runikhata Forest Range Office demanding their release.

The forest personnel dispersed the crowd. Some protesters alleged that the forest officials assaulted them, including women.

On Friday morning, a larger crowd gathered at the office and allegedly vandalised it. Unidentified officials told The Assam Tribune that the protesters allegedly set fire to at least four forest department vehicles and also attempted to torch the office.

The situation intensified after the police reached the spot and baton-charged the protesters. The forest personnel also allegedly opened fire to control the crowd, The Assam Tribune reported.

More than 30 persons, mostly police personnel, were injured, The Hindu reported. Four protesters were also detained.

Following the violence, the state government ordered the suspension of internet and data services in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts, ANI reported. Both districts are part of the Bodoland Territorial Region.

The All Adivasi Students’ Association and the All Santal Students’ Union, which organised the protests, alleged that the...

Read more