Overview On January 21, 2026 , the situation in Kokrajhar district of western Assam remained tense following mob violence triggered by a road accident the previous day. The violence resulted in the deaths of two individuals and prompted the deployment of security forces. Authorities have arrested 20 people in connection with the incident. Key Developments Incident Details Date of Incident: January 20-21, 2026 Location: Karigaon area , Kokrajhar district , Assam Cause: A road accident involving a vehicle suspected of cattle theft. Casualties: Two deaths – one Bodo tribal and one Adivasi youth from the Santhal community . Government Response Prohibitory Orders: Imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita . Internet Suspension: Mobile internet services temporarily suspended in Kokrajhar and adjoining Chirang districts . Security Deployment: Army , CRPF’s Rapid Action Force , and Assam Police deployed. Relief Camps: Five relief camps established for displaced people from both communities. Police Investigation Arrests: 20 people arrested in connection with the violence. Assurance: Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh assured adequate security at relief camps and warned against rumor-mongering. UPSC Relevance This incident is relevant to GS2 (Governance, Polity, Social Justice) and GS3 (Internal Security) . It highlights issues related to ethnic tensions, law and order, and the role of social media in spreading misinformation. Understanding the causes and consequences of such incidents is crucial for UPSC aspirants. Exam Perspective Prelims: Location of the incident, communities involved, legal provisions invoked, and security forces deployed. Mains: Analyze the causes of ethnic tensions, discuss the role of social media in escalating violence, and evaluate the effectiveness of government measures. Background of the Incident The trouble began when villagers attempted to stop an SUV suspected of being used by cattle lifters. The villagers had been patrolling the area due to reports of cattle theft. The driver refused to stop, leading to an accident. Villagers then attacked the occupants, who were returning from inspecting a road project, and set the vehicle on fire. Escalation of Violence Initial Attack: Five people were injured in the initial assault. Community Response: Tensions flared, leading to the blocking of a National Highway by large groups from both communities. Destruction: Mobs torched houses, shops, an office building, and a designated camp of an Adivasi extremist group in peace mode. Attack on Police: The Karigaon police outpost was also attacked.