DIBRUGARH, Jan 2 � One person was killed and at least eight, including police personnel and the local Circle Officer Manoj Baruah, sustained serious injuries during a clash between a mob of alleged illegal settlers and a police team at Joypur Dehing Pathar, near Naharkatia town in the district when the latter tried to evict them today.
The Circle Officer-led police team had gone to the area to evict the illegal settlers from the government land along the Burhidehing river when the mob armed with sticks, stones and knives reportedly pounced on the police team, injuring the Circle Officer and at least three cops. A police personnel, Binanda Hazarika was brutally beaten up by the mob. �The police initially lathicharged the public, but they grew all the more violent. This forced the police to resort to firing,� Superintendent of Police, Rana Bhuyan said this evening.
The deceased has been identified as Shree Ram Shah (45). Eight injured persons including the Circle Officer and three cops have been admitted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital here for medical attention. The condition of one of the four injured from among the mob is said to be critical.
According to the local civil administration, the illegal settlers were given prior notice to vacate the government land and sources informed that all pre-eviction procedures were carried out before launching the eviction drive. The mob had also blocked the Assam � Arunachal Road and resorted to arson after the clash. However, police reinforcements were rushed in to control the tense situation.
