Two civilians were killed and nine policemen injured today when an anti-encroachment drive in Assam’s Darrang district blew up into a brutal clash between the police and other people protesting eviction. On camera, policemen in riot gear and armed with guns and sticks chased and attacked protesters and even firing shots.
In horrifying visuals, a government cameraman filming the clash attacked a protester who had earlier followed him with a stick. The protester, beaten by policemen, lay motionless because the cameraman kept attacking him until he was restrained. The police are now attempting to find the cameraman.
The authorities has ordered a pursuit – to be headed by a retired state supreme court judge – into today’s violence.
Some 800 families were evicted within the drive against encroachments at Dholpur on Monday. The state wants to repossess 4,500 bighas of state land for an agricultural project.
The police said local people attacked them with stones today and that they had to use force.
“Nine of our policemen were injured. Two civilians were also injured. they need been shifted to hospital. Now things are normal,” Superintendent of Police Sushanta Biswa Sarma said.
Mr Sarma, who was at the positioning of the clash, added, “We couldn’t complete the eviction thanks to matters. we are going to assess later. We are returning as of now.”
But when asked about the footage of the local being shot and so beaten, he said “The area is big. i used to be on another side. i’ll learn and assess true.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, reacting to the police brutality, targeted the state’s BJP government and tweeted, “Assam is on state-sponsored fire”.
“I substitute solidarity with our brothers and sisters within the state – no children of India deserve this,” he added.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tweeted after the eviction drive on Monday, “I am happy and compliment district administration of Darrang and Assam Police for having cleared about 4500 bigha, by evicting 800 households.”
Reports say the govt decided in June to repossess the land for a farming project and had served notices to alleged encroachers.
The Chief Minister had also visited the world. in an exceedingly tweet during the visit, he said, he was there to “inspect the riverine areas that were encroached by illegal settlers near Dholpur Shiva Mandir. 120 Bighas land of the temple under encroachment of illegal occupants within the area are freed by @assampolice and district administration. Such squatters would be evicted from all parts of Assam to shield our land and also the Assamese identity from encroachers and intruders.”
Mr Sarma also wrote: “We also offer prayers at Shiva temple to hunt lord Shiva blessings. a brief temple management and native people to line up a Manikut, builder guest house and boundary wall. All steps should be taken to show temple into a tourist attraction.”
