'Attacked by Bangladesh migrants', Assam police open fire, kill 2

GUWAHATI: Two suspected Bangladesh-origin settlers in Assam were killed Thursday in police firing on an armed mob resisting an eviction drive to reclaim govt land in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati. At least 22 police and other officials and 11 of the settlers were wounded in the clash.

The Kamrup administration started the eviction last Monday, fanning out into areas where tracts of land owned by the govt and indigenous tribals are allegedly under illegal occupation.

The mob of illegal Bangladesh-origin settlers attacked the eviction squad at Kachutali Pathar village in Sonapur circle, where a similar drive in 2021 culminated in two deaths.

Revenue circle officer Nitul Khataniar, DCP (Guwahati East) Mrinal Deka and Sonapur police station incharge Hirokjyoti Saikia were among those injured when suspected encroachers armed with weapons and stones attacked them, officials said. A police vehicle was also damaged.

"Miscreants instigated the villagers. Police first used rubber bullets. All action was per law. No one will be allowed to disturb peace," special DGP Harmeet Singh said.

Of the 145 villages in Sonapur revenue circle, 122 are part of a tribal belt. Three of these villages - Kachutali Pathar, Chamata Pathar and Barni - have been encroached upon, according to official data.

"A total of 248 bighas of govt land have been cleared of encroachment and 237 illegally constructed structures removed from the tribal belt," DGP G P Singh.
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