Two people were killed and several others injured after clashes broke out between villagers and security forces in the periphery of Kaziranga National Park (KNP) over eviction by the Assam government following a Gauhati High Court’s order.
Monday morning the Nagaon district administration, along with the State police, started the eviction from three villages in the vicinity of Kaziranga, famed for its one-horned rhinos.
Thousands of protesters, led by peasant leader Akhil Gogoi from Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), blocked roads and erected barricades to stop the district administration's eviction team, forcing the security personnel to first resort to firing of tear gas shells, rubber bullets and later firing in the air to disperse the mob.
Later, two dead bodies of protesters were found in the area. While local people alleged that they died due to police firing, the Assam police denied the charge.
“The eviction drive in Kaziranga National Park was carried out with the district administration as per court order,” Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay said.
Published 19 September 2016, 19:55 IST