12 hurt in attack by suspected B�deshi nationals; police opens fire to disperse mob

TEZPUR, July 30 - At least 12 persons, including a cop, were seriously injured due to a sudden attack by suspected Bangladeshi nationals in Chowkighat area under Jamuguri Police Outpost in Sonitpur district today.

Police revealed that the district administration organised a programme to allot plots of land to about 30 self-help groups (SHGs) in Chowkighat area under Nadwar Revenue Circle for agricultural activities.

However, when officials of the district administration were busy in demarcating the allotted plots of land in presence of the local police, suddenly about 20/25 suspected Bangladeshi nationals illegally settled in the area arrived with lethal arms and attacked the people present there. In the incident, 12 people, including the Jamaguri Police Outpost in-charge, sustained serious injuries. They were later rushed to a local hospital.

To disperse the miscreants, police resorted to firing after which the miscreants fled from the area.

On receiving the information, Sonitpur SP Dugdhajyoti Mahanta and local MLA Padma Hazarika rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.

After hearing about the incident, several local people also rushed to the spot to retaliate. However, police stopped them thereby bringing the situation under control.

Reacting to the incident, MLA Hazarika mentioned that for many years the suspected Bangladeshis have been trying to settle in the area by encroaching upon plots of land posing a serious threat to the local people.