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Constable killed in encounter

By KAMAL BRAHMA

DIPHU, July 20 � An Assam Police constable was killed in a heavy exchange of fire that ensued today along the Assam-Nagaland border after an eviction drive was carried out by the Karbi Anglong district administration to clear tracts allegedly encroached upon by people from Nagaland side.

Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner PK Buragohain informed that the district administration, along with police and forest officials, has been conducting a massive anti-encroachment drive along the Karbi Anglong (Assam)-Nagaland border in Doldoli Reserve Forest since yesterday and demolished illegal houses of encroachers.

During the anti-encroachment drive today, some suspected Naga extremist elements opened fire from sophisticated weapons on workers and security personnel engaged in the eviction operation, at 9 am this morning. The personnel of Assam Police, Forest Protection Force and Indian Reserve Battalion retaliated, which led to a heavy exchange of fire, the Karbi Anglong DC said.

It may be mentioned here that during the exchange of fire police constable Arpan Barua received serious bullet injury and he was rushed to the Diphu Civil Hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

Another police personnel and a forest official also received minor injuries. Buragohain further said that no injury or death report of Naga miscreants was received. The Naga miscreants fled after several hours of gunfight.

According to police sources, more than 150 illegally constructed houses were destroyed in the forest area falling under Diphu Police Station during the operation. Yesterday also, suspected miscreants had blasted bombs, hurled grenades and fired from rifles to halt the eviction operation, but none was injured, the sources added.

The sources further said that a total of 69 illegally constructed houses under Lahorijan Border Outpost, 300 under Dikoi (BOP) and 70 under Sankertilla (BOP) were demolished yesterday.

Two SBBL guns, a car and several hundred roofing tin sheets were recovered from Sankertilla area, the sources added.

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