GUWAHATI: The eviction drive in the Kosutoli tribal belt of the Sonapur area took a violent turn on Thursday, September 12, as clashes erupted between police officials and alleged encroachers leaving two dead and several, including policemen and administration officials, injured . The incident occurred around 12:30 PM following three days of eviction efforts in the area.
Tensions soared when protesters, allegedly incited by brokers identified as Nazrul Islam, Babul Hussain, and Almiaz Ali, began hurling stones and sharp objects at the police. The brokers are reported to have encouraged the encroaching families to resist the eviction, which led to a severe confrontation.
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In response to the escalating violence, police were forced to fire blanks. When the situation continued to deteriorate with the encroachers attacking the police, the latter opened fire injuring two civilians. The two civilians, Haider Ali and Juwahid Ali, later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.
Three police officials, Manab Jyoti Chutia, Amar Jyoti Baruah, and Dipen Gogoi, were also severely injured during the clashes. Circle officer Nitul Khatoniar was also injured. The Sonapur Police Station has imposed Section 144 in the area to curb further violence and maintain order. An official from the station stated, “Three police officials have been seriously injured. The area is on high alert.”
Train services through the area were disrupted.
The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore peace and address the underlying issues behind the violent protest.
