Guwahati, July 17 || A government-led eviction drive in the Paikan Reserve Forest under the Krishnai Range in Assam’s Goalpara district turned violent on Thursday, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured.
The incident occurred after police allegedly opened fire on a group of residents resisting the operation.
The joint drive, carried out by the Assam Police and the Forest Department, aimed to clear over 140 hectares of encroached land within the 711-hectare Paikan Reserve Forest.
Tensions flared when residents of Bidyapara and Betbari -- two densely populated localities within the forest area -- allegedly confronted the eviction team with stones and sticks.
According to officials, the violence began when a large crowd attempted to halt the eviction process by attacking police personnel and damaging an excavator.
In response, police reportedly fired upon the mob, claiming the move was in self-defence. One person, identified as Shakuar Hussain, was killed in the clash, while another, Kutubuddin Sheikh, sustained serious injuries.
There are also unconfirmed reports of injuries among police personnel.