More than 20 people, including 15 police officers and forest department officials, were injured after protests against the arrest of 25 alleged assailants turned violent in Assam’s Chirang district on Friday, police said.
The forest department arrested 25 locals on Thursday during an operation against alleged encroachment in the Runikata forest range along the Indo-Bhutan border, said Chirang Police Chief Inspector Drupa Bora, who was also injured in the clash.
According to police officers, more than 200 locals gathered outside the Runikhata forest range office the next morning and staged a protest demanding the release of those detained.
“Locals came to the reserve office on Friday morning demanding their release. Some people started spreading misinformation about alleged harassment of detained people and then attacked the forest office,” SSP Bora said.
The protesters initially attacked the staff on duty, set fire to the forest department office and vehicles, and later resorted to stone pelting, police said. “In this operation, at least 15 policemen and forest officials were injured and to control the situation we had to resort to point blank firing,” Bora said, adding that several locals were also injured during the attack.
Meanwhile, the protesters alleged that the forest department was selectively detaining Adivasi people while allowing other communities to clear forest land in the same area.
“If deforestation is illegal here, why is action being taken against only us, the Adivasi people? People from the Bodo community are doing the same, but no action has been taken against them. This is a selective action, and we have been protesting against it,” said a protester.
They also alleged that the detainees were harassed inside the forest office and that police officers misbehaved with the women. The demonstrator added: “They were trying to put pressure on us, and this harassment during detention was one of their methods to break us. This angered our people, which led to the situation turning violent.”
Bora said the situation is now under control and additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
The protest was organized by All Adivasi Students Association (AASAA) and All Santal Students Union (ASSU). Associations announced protests across the Bodoland regional region, demanding accountability and an independent investigation into the incident.
Police said that cases would be registered against those involved in the violence. “We are investigating the matter and collecting evidence. After the preliminary investigation, FIRs will be lodged against those found involved, and further legal action will follow,” SSP Bora said.
The Assam government on Friday evening suspended mobile internet services in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts amid rising tension. “We are here to resolve the issue through dialogue. But if anyone takes the law into their own hands, strict action will be taken,” said SSP of Bongaigaon Nomal Mahata, who also visited the area on Friday.
