A mob attacked the Runikhata Forest Range office in Assam's Chirang district on April 17, 2026, protesting the detention of locals accused of encroaching on forest land. Several people were injured as the crowd vandalised the office and quarters, torched more than half-a-dozen government vehicles, and took away some weapons. The incident has fuelled tensions along the India-Bhutan border.
On Friday, April 17, 2026, a mob attacked the office of the Assam Forest Department in Chirang district. The crowd was protesting the detention of some locals accused of encroaching upon forest land.
Protesters vandalised the Runikhata Forest Range office and residential quarters. They torched more than half-a-dozen government vehicles on the premises and took away some weapons. Several people were injured in the clash.
The violence has heightened tensions along the India-Bhutan border. Officials from the Assam Forest Department have not commented on the incident.
