Two killed when settlers protest government drive against 'illegal settlers'

Two people have been killed and more than 10 others were injured in police firing in the Indian state of Assam.

This happened on Monday during the local administration's eviction drive on 'illegal settlers' near Kaziranga National Park.

Violent protest broke out soon after the drive commenced and the police resorted to firing to disperse the violent crowd.

The dead has been identified as Anjuma Khatun and Fakhruddin.

However, the district Police has, in a statement clarified that the two did not die in police firing.

Assam's Kaziranga National Park, spread over 430 sq.kms, is home to two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceros.

Police say that some encroachers had settled down in areas of the park illegally.

There were allegations that these encroachers were illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

The administration has, however, stated that the eviction drive is being carried following a court order.

Few of those whose houses were demolished were Assamese families in possession of Miyadi patta and the Assam government has said that they will be offered compensation within the next 40 days.

Hundreds of protesters tried to prevent the eviction from Bandardubi village under Nagaon district.

Locals as well protesters tried to stop the district administration's eviction team by erecting barricades.

Police say this forced them to first lob tear gas shells and then fire to contain the mob.

On the other hand, the central committee of All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) described the eviction drive as inhuman and violent and announced that its members will block all the state highways to register their protest.

The Gauhati High Court had, in October last year, ordered eviction in three villages – Bandardubi, Deosursang and Palkhowa – near Kaziranga National Park.

Although the eviction was initially scheduled for Wednesday, the Nagaon district authorities reportedly brought forward the date before the resistance from the settlers could build up.

Locals say the administration has used elephants and bulldozers to completely demolish more than 115 houses in these villages.

According to sources, the eviction drive will continue till late on Monday and all illegal constructions on the wildlife park area will be removed completely.

The District officials estimated that more than 1,000 security personnel have been sent to Bandardubi and adjoining Deosursang and Palkhowa areas to help in the eviction drive.

Assam's Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while reacting to the incident said that he had met the inhabitants of the three villages near the national park.

The eviction was supposed to be completed between Sep 19 and 21, he said.

The minister, too, blamed the incident on "some people of trying to create a situation".