Eviction drive at Lahorijan turns violent

The eviction drive at Lahorijan that remained peaceful in the first and the second phases turned violent today as the encroachers clashed with security forces, leading to baton charge and tear gas shelling by the police, besides the firing of rubber bullets.

Earlier, the KAAC (Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council) authorities carried out two eviction drives in the Dudu Colony of Lahorijan and cleared over 200 bighas of revenue land illegally occupied by encroachers, mostly immigrant labours working at Dimapur in Nagaland.

Today’s drive was to clear a settlement of over 100 households covering an area of approximately 120 bighas of revenue land in the Balijan Khan Basti area of Lahorijan Block 3 under Borjan Mouza in Bokajan subdivision. The Revenue and Disaster Management department had identified 134 locations in the area for eviction. However, 34 individuals have obtained legal protection from the Gauhati High Court.

Tension unfolded in the area on Sunday morning after the demolition of a Masjid. The residents, mostly women and children, assembled to stage the demonstration by holding placards and the Gauhati High Court’s order, preventing the officials from entering the area. Officials of the district administration tried to persuade the agitating protesters, but they remained adamant. After a series of failed negotiations, the security forces resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

The action of the security forces made the protesters intensify the clash. A few protesters started hurling stones at the security personnel by positioning themselves across the border in Nagaland. The Khan Basti area is near Nagaland and is just a narrow stream apart.

The police also retaliated with tear gas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control. The officer-in-charge of Khatkhati PS, SI Raju Duwarah, sustained a head injury. Several protesters were injured.

Later, a team of Dimapur District Administration arrived at the spot to disperse the crowd assembled on their side of the border and brought the situation under control. However, the situation on the ground continues to remain tense.

Many pointed out a lack of planning and communication between the Land and Revenue Department of the KAAC, the District Administration and the police.