The Indian Army deployed columns in West Karbi Anglong, Assam, on December 23, 2025, following violent clashes between Karbi tribals and Bihari settlers in Kheroni, triggered by a hunger strike since December 6 demanding eviction of alleged encroachers from protected grazing reserves, per a 2011 Supreme Court order. Two fatalities—Suresh Dey, burned alive in arson, and Athik Timung—plus over 70 injuries, including 60+ police personnel like DGP Harmeet Singh and IGP Akhilesh Kumar Singh, ensued amid arrows, bombs, and arson, prompting curfew under BNSS Section 163 and internet suspension. DGP Singh affirmed control by December 24-25, with flag marches restoring uneasy calm; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urged dialogue. From India’s security lens, this exposes vulnerabilities in Sixth Schedule tribal lands, risking insurgent exploitation and ethnic polarization in strategic Northeast frontiers.