Bodo-Adivasi Clashes Erupt in Assam; Internet Shut Down Across Kokrajhar and Chirang

Violent confrontations between Bodo and Adivasi communities in Assam's Kokrajhar district have prompted authorities to suspend internet services across two districts and deploy paramilitary forces to restore order.

Fresh Clashes Erupt After Initial Violence Claims Lives

Fresh clashes erupted allegedly between Bodos and Adivasis in Assam's Kokrajhar on Tuesday, January 20, a day after mob violence left two persons dead, following which the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed, internet/mobile data services were suspended in two districts and prohibitory orders imposed, officials said.

The escalating violence represents a significant security challenge for the region, which has a history of communal tensions between the two communities. BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary said that the situation was "unfortunate and serious; there should not be any misunderstanding between the Bodos and the Adivasis who both live in the area".

Origins of the Conflict: A Vehicular Incident Triggers Retaliatory Violence

On Monday night, a vehicle with three Bodos on board had hit two Adivasi persons at Mansingh Road under Karigaon outpost under Kokrajhar police station. The three Bodos were beaten by neighbouring Adivasi villagers and the vehicle was torched, and one person died in the incident.

One of the four persons injured in the mob violence in Karigaon area succumbed to injuries at the Kokrajhar Medical College on Tuesday. The initial tragic incident set the stage for a broader communal breakdown as tensions simmered throughout the night and exploded into organized clashes the following day.

Escalation Continues with Highway Blockades and Property Destruction

On Tuesday, the situation flared up with both Bodo and Adivasi communities blocking the National Highway adjacent to Karigaon outpost, burning tyres and a few houses while setting ablaze a government office and attacking the Karigaon police outpost.

The police resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd in which several people, including a few police personnel, were injured. The intensity of the violence prompted immediate intervention from higher-ranking officials and forced authorities to implement drastic measures to prevent further deterioration.

Internet Suspension: Authorities Seek to Control Misinformation

Apprehending that social media and the internet may be used to further spread inflammatory messages and rumours, the home department has suspended the internet/mobile data service of all mobile service providers temporarily in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts until further orders.

Voice calls and broadband connectivity based on fixed telephone lines shall remain functional during this period. The suspension represents a controversial but calculated move by authorities to prevent false rumors and inflammatory content from exacerbating the already volatile situation on the ground. In a bid to curb the spread of misinformation and inflammatory messages, the home department temporarily suspended internet services in the district.

Heavy Security Deployment and Law Enforcement Response

Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, along with senior police officials, has rushed to Kokrajhar, which is under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). The immediate mobilization of top police brass underscores the gravity with which state authorities view the deteriorating law and order situation.

Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma said that arrangements are in place to deploy the Army while the Rapid Action Force (RAF) is already on the ground following clashes and mob violence in Kokrajhar district. Sarma said that internet/mobile data services have been suspended in Kokrajhar and neighbouring Chirang district.

An army column has already reached the district while another was on its way, a defence spokesperson said. A flag march was likely to be held on Wednesday in the affected areas as a confidence-building measure, a district official said.

Government Response and Damage Control Efforts

The chief minister, who is currently in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet, said in a post on X that he was in constant touch with senior officials of the state government and district administration to ensure that the situation returns to normal soon.

He alleged instigation by a "third-party" and appealed for peace and harmony. The involvement of potentially external actors has raised concerns about deliberate attempts to destabilize communal relations in the volatile region.

The police have so far detained 18 people in connection with the mob violence and subsequent clashes. These detentions signal authorities' determination to prevent further violence and hold accountable those responsible for inciting communal tensions.

Road to Restoration and Ongoing Concerns

The situation in #Karigaon, Kokrajhar is completely under control, according to police statements, though the deployment of the Rapid Action Force and emergency internet shutdown suggest authorities remain deeply concerned about the potential for renewed violence.

The clashes in Kokrajhar represent another troubling episode in Assam's complex ethnic landscape, where longstanding communal fault lines periodically erupt into violence. As security forces work to stabilize the situation and investigations continue into the initial incident that triggered the violence, authorities face the dual challenge of maintaining law and order while managing the narrative around events that have been largely cut off from digital communication channels.

The temporary internet shutdown—affecting both Kokrajhar and the neighboring Chirang district—remains a significant intervention in civil liberties, reflecting the severity of the security situation officials believe they are confronting.