Violence Erupts During Eviction Drive In Assam: Two Dead, 22 Policemen Injured

An eviction drive in the Kosutoli locality of Sonapur, Kamrup district, turned deadly on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of two residents and injuries to 22 policemen.

The operation, aimed at clearing “unlawful” colonies from a 100-bigha (approximately 33 acres) plot of land housing about 150 people, escalated into violence when clashes erupted between the police and residents. The confrontation led to the deaths of Juwahid Ali and Haider Ali, who succumbed to injuries allegedly inflicted by police gunfire. Sonapur District Hospital pronounced both victims dead.

In the melee, Shahjahan Ali sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The violence injured at least 22 policemen, including a woman constable and Revenue Circle Officer Nitul Khatoniar. Authorities transported them to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

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Eyewitnesses reported that residents, described as “encroachers” by authorities, threw stones and vandalized several police vehicles. The police, facing attacks with sticks and other objects, resorted to firing to control the situation. Reports suggest minimal security presence during the initial three days of the drive.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Congress party of inflaming tensions. Sarma claimed that the eviction drive was peaceful until Congress leaders intervened, inciting the locals to attack police personnel with sticks and bamboo. “In these clashes, two people unfortunately lost their lives, and 22 policemen along with a revenue circle officer were injured,” Sarma said.

The Assam Police reported that the eviction drive successfully cleared 248 bigha (155 acres) of government land and removed 237 unauthorized structures from the tribal zone.

This incident echoes a similar clash in September 2021, when an eviction drive in Gorukhuti village resulted in two deaths and injured 15 policemen.