Police open fire to disperse encroachers

Diphu (Assam): Police on Saturday opened fire to disperse a mob which allegedly attempted to occupy forest land and settle on it in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district but there was no casualty or injury in the firing.
More than one thousand people armed with sharp weapons gathered in the Forest land near Diphu and attempted to occupy it but police rushed to the spot and asked them to clear the area but they refused following which they were tear gassed and fired upon, police sources said.
The police claimed that there was no injury or casualty in the firing and the people also dispersed from the area.
The situation in the area was currently tense but under control, the sources said, adding four persons have been arrested by police in this connection.
Some people had earlier attempted to encroach forest land near Diphu on March 13 last but police and forest officials rushed to the spot and stopped them, police said.
A meeting was held yesterday to discuss the matter.
In the meeting the Forest officials maintained that the land belonged to the Forest department and it will not be given for human settlement. (PTI)