Police told NDTV that locals opposed the eviction drive and started pelting stones
New Delhi:
Two civilians were killed and nine policemen were injured today in a brutal clash during an anti-encroachment operation in Assam’s Darrang district, as policemen armed with guns and sticks chased and attacked protesters on camera And even firing bullets.
In horrific scenes, a cameraman filming the clash was seen attacking a protester, who was earlier chasing him with a stick. The protester who was beaten up by the policemen was lying motionless as the cameraman repeatedly attacked him until he was stopped.
About 800 families were evicted in the drive against encroachment on Monday. The state wants to take over 4,500 bighas of government land for an agricultural project.
Police said the locals today attacked them with stones and they had to use force.
Superintendent of Police Sushant Biswa Sarma said, “Nine of our policemen were injured. Two civilians were also injured. They have been admitted to the hospital. Things are normal now.”
Mr. Sarma, who was at the site of the conflict, said, “We could not complete the eviction due to the situation. We will assess later. We are returning now.”
But when asked about the footage of the local being shot and then beaten up, he said, “The area is big. I was on the other side. I will find out and assess the situation.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, reacting to the police brutality, tweeted, “Assam is on state-sponsored fire”.
“I stand with my brothers and sisters in the state – no child in India deserves this,” he said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tweeted on Monday after the eviction drive, “I am happy and congratulate the district administration of Darang and Assam Police and 800 houses to vacate around 4500 bighas by evicting them.”
According to reports, the government had in June approved the decision to take back the land for an agricultural project. Also, notices have been issued to the encroachers.
Earlier in June, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had visited the area. In a tweet during the visit, he said, he “was there to inspect river areas encroached by illegal occupants near Dholpur Shiva temple. 120 bighas of temple land under encroachment by illegal occupants in the area freed by @assampolice and district administration. Such people will be evicted from all parts of Assam to protect our land and Assamese identity from encroachers and infiltrators,” he had tweeted.
“I am happy and congratulate the district administrations of Darrang and Assam Police for vacating around 4500 bighas by vacating 800 houses,” the chief minister had tweeted after the eviction drive on Monday.
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