Violence erupted again in Assam’s Kokrajhar district following a road accident, leading to clashes between members of the Bodo and Adivasi communities and resulting in one death.
The situation deteriorated after a road accident on Monday night, escalating tensions between the two communities. To control the situation, the administration deployed the Rapid Action Force, while internet and mobile data services were suspended in Kokrajhar and neighbouring Chirang district to prevent the spread of rumours and inflammatory messages.
According to Home Department officials, the violence began on Monday night in the Karigaon outpost area under the Kokrajhar police station limits. On Mansingh Road, a vehicle carrying three Bodo individuals hit two Adivasi youths. Following the accident, Adivasi villagers present at the site allegedly assaulted the three Bodo occupants of the vehicle and set the vehicle on fire. One person died in the incident, further escalating tensions in the area.
On Tuesday, the situation worsened as crowds from the Bodo and Adivasi communities blocked the National Highway near the Karigaon outpost. During the unrest, tyres and some houses were set on fire, a government office was damaged, and the Karigaon police outpost was attacked. Police resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Several people were injured in the clashes, including some police personnel.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, the district administration deployed the Rapid Action Force. Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh departed for Kokrajhar along with senior police officials to monitor the situation on the ground. The administration stated that all necessary measures are being taken to maintain law and order.
The Home Department said there was a possibility of rumours and inflammatory messages being spread through social media and the internet. In response, internet and mobile data services of all mobile service providers were suspended in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts until further orders. The administration said the step was taken to maintain peace and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern over the violence and appealed to people to maintain peace. He is currently on an overseas visit to attend the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. In a statement posted on social media platform X, he said he is in constant touch with senior state government and district administration officials and that all necessary instructions are being issued to restore normalcy at the earliest. He also appealed to political parties and civil society to cooperate.
Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohilary said the situation is serious but there should be no misunderstanding between the Bodo and Adivasi communities. He stated that law and order does not fall under the jurisdiction of the BTC and that the concerned agencies are working to control the situation. He appealed to people to protest in a democratic manner and to stay away from violence.
