Fresh violence rocked parts of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam on Friday (April 17) following an eviction drive in a forest area of Chirang district within the BTR, which spiralled into clashes between the forest authorities and tribals, leaving over 20 people injured, six of whom are women.
The incident has prompted the Assam government to suspend mobile internet services in Chirang as well as the neighbouring Kokrajhar district to prevent further escalation.
Also read: Assam elections: BPF-BJP surge leaves lone UPPL bereft in Bodoland
This is the second violent incident in BTR in a span of a few months. On January 19, violence erupted between Bodo and tribal communities in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, resulting in at least two deaths and numerous injuries.
How the unrest began?
The unrest began at the Runikhata Forest Range office, near the India–Bhutan border in the Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest, following an operation by forest officials against alleged encroachment.
According to officials, 25 tribal villagers were detained during the drive on Thursday (April 16) evening for allegedly clearing forest land and constructing temporary houses. The situation turned volatile soon after when a group of local people, mostly women, gathered outside the range office demanding their release.
Tensions also escalated amid allegations of harassment in custody. Protesters, mobilised by groups including the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) and the All Santal Students’ Union, accused forest personnel of targeting tribal communities while ignoring encroachment by others.
“We went there seeking answers and justice, but what we saw was disturbing. Our people were treated unfairly. Even women were molested and beaten up inside the forest office,” one of the tribal protesters said.
It is alleged that forest personnel subjected around 20 women, who had gone to seek the release of their relatives, to inhumane treatment.
Mob goes on rampage
By Friday morning, the situation worsened. A large crowd, estimated at over 200 people, gathered at the range office. The mob allegedly vandalised the premises, set fire to government vehicles and quarters.
Officials said at least six vehicles were torched during the violence. Security forces responded with a lathi-charge and blank firing to disperse the crowd. “We had to take necessary steps to bring the situation under control. The safety of personnel and public property was at risk,” a senior forest official said.
A scene from one of the violence-hit areas in Bodoland Tribal Region in Assam on April 17, 2026.
Police and forest personnel were also injured in the clashes. “Around 15 of our personnel sustained injuries due to stone-pelting and attacks. Several civilians were also hurt in the confrontation,” the official added.
Six women who suffered serious injuries were shifted to nearby hospitals. No deaths have been reported so far in the latest incident.
Internet suspended
The Assam government moved swiftly to contain the situation. In an official order, the home and political department suspended mobile internet and data services in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts.
The notification stated, “We have taken this step in the interest of maintaining public peace and preventing misuse of social media to spread rumours and inflammatory content.” Voice calls and fixed broadband services, however, remain functional.
Security has been tightened across the region, with additional forces, including Rapid Action Force units, deployed in sensitive areas. Senior police officers from Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Tamulpur are monitoring the situation closely.
A senior government official said the violence was triggered by the late-night confrontation following the eviction drive. “The detention of villagers led to anger among locals, which escalated into large-scale clashes and arson by Friday morning,” he said.
Inhumane treatment
Meanwhile, serious allegations have emerged from the protesting groups. Rejan Horo, president of the AASAA, strongly condemned the incident and demanded an independent probe.
“This incident has deeply disturbed us. The kind of inhumane treatment meted out to indigenous communities is completely unacceptable,” Horo said.
He questioned the basis of the eviction drive. “Why are innocent people being targeted on land they have been living on for years? This question is troubling every concerned citizen,” he said.
Raising concerns over land rights, Horo added, “If the government is serious about indigenous welfare, why has the Forest Rights Act not been properly implemented? There is a clear sense of neglect and discrimination.”
He also flagged allegations of misconduct against women. “We have received disturbing reports that women were picked up at night without the presence of female personnel and subjected to harassment. This is not just illegal, it is a serious human rights violation,” he said.
Demanding accountability, he said, “We want a high-level independent inquiry. Those responsible must be punished, and land rights of indigenous communities must be ensured without delay.”
Environment activist Dilip Nath blamed the forest department for the flare-up, questioning both the timing and execution of the eviction drive. “I hold the DFO responsible for this incident. The eviction was carried out without the presence of police or the district administration, which should not have happened,” he said.
He also raised concerns over the timing of the operation. “Why was this done during the Model Code of Conduct period? Such drives should ideally be taken up before elections to avoid tension,” Nath added.
Assam went to the Assembly elections on April 9.
Stressing the need for early intervention, Nath said delays often worsen the situation. “Encroachments must be addressed at an initial stage. Once the numbers grow, it becomes difficult to manage. We have seen similar problems earlier in places like the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary,” he added.
Tribals targeted
Horo warned of agitation if action is not taken. “If the government fails to act, we will be forced to launch democratic protests across Assam. We cannot remain silent in the face of injustice,” he said.
Sources on the ground also claimed that encroachment in the area involves multiple communities, but action was allegedly focused on tribal settlers, adding to the anger.
While the situation is now under control, sporadic tensions were reported from parts of Kokrajhar district throughout the day.
Authorities said cases will be registered and strict action taken against those involved in vandalism and attacks on officials.
