Sonapur, 13th September: At least three people sustained bullet injuries, and 15 policemen, including a magistrate and a revenue circle officer, were injured during a violent confrontation in Sonapur, Assam, as an eviction drive took a tragic turn on Thursday, September 12. The incident occurred amid a government operation to reclaim 200 bighas of disputed land in Kachutoli, allegedly occupied by encroachers.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reported that the situation escalated following opposition from Congress party members. “The eviction drive was proceeding peacefully until the Congress intervened. The crowd, armed with lathis and bamboo sticks, attacked police personnel and government officials,” Sarma stated, adding that 22 police officers and a Revenue Circle officer were among the injured.
According to Sarma, criticism from Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia earlier in the day fueled tensions, leading to the crowd’s violent backlash.
The clash began when local residents, claiming ownership of the disputed land, launched an assault on the police and administrative team. The police, in response, opened fire in an attempt to control the situation. Tragically, two individuals who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to Sonapur District Hospital but succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment. Seven others were also injured in the skirmish.
Officials on the ground described the scene as chaotic, with the crowd momentarily dispersing after the police’s initial response, only to return with renewed aggression. A police officer present at the scene stated, “We tried negotiating with the group, but they attacked us, injuring several personnel. In self-defense, we had no choice but to fire.”
The eviction drive, led by Kamrup Metropolitan District authorities, had entered its fourth day when the violence broke out. The authorities were forced to retreat after the attack, with many officers fleeing to avoid further injuries. Although the situation has since been brought under control, tensions remain high as the community continues to dispute the government’s claim that they are illegal occupants.