Two killed, 19 injured in Assam police firing

World Monday 19/September/2016 15:25 PM
By: Times News Service
Two killed, 19 injured in Assam police firing

Guwahati: Two persons were killed and 19 others, including police personnel, were injured in mob violence and subsequent police firing during an eviction drive near Kaziranga National Park in the north eastern Indian state of Assam on Monday.
Police resorted to firing in Banderdubi area under Kaliabor sub-division of Nagaon district after protesters,
demanding compensation before they were evicted, turned violent and attacked security forces by pelting stones at them, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Sahay said.
"The eviction was carried out as per orders of the Gauhati High Court and the police used full restraint and minimum force to ensure that the land was cleared of encroachers," he said.
The situation turned violent and the police was forced to resort to lathi charge, tear gas and firing which led to the killing of two persons, including a woman, and injury to 19 others, including 15 police personnel due to stone pelting, the DGP said.
"There may be a possibility of the people being instigated by a section of people...we are investigating the matter and strict action will be taken as per law against those who provoked the people," the DGP said.
Following the incident, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held an emergency Cabinet meeting and directed that an ex-gratia payment of Rs5 lakh be paid to the next of kin of those dead and Rs50,000 each to those injured.
The Nagaon district administration had decided to carry out the eviction following a Gauhati High Court order in October last year that Banderdubi and Deochurchang areas under Kaliabor sub-division near Kaziranga National Park be cleared of encroachers.