HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Aug 13: At least seven people have been arrested following a violent attack on police personnel and media persons in Digholbali, a flood-affected area about 7 km from Hojai Police Station, on Tuesday night.
Over 100 armed locals, wielding sharp weapons and bamboo sticks, clashed with police, injuring several officers, including a female sub-inspector.
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The incident reportedly stemmed from a long-standing dispute over a patch of alluvial soil and sand along the Kapili River, where illegal sand and soil mining has been rampant for years.
Local residents had repeatedly complained to the Hojai district forest department without receiving any redress.
Tensions escalated when an excavator, hired by an individual named Bijesh for sand extraction, was intercepted by locals, who assaulted the driver, tied him to a pole, and beat him severely.
Following Bijesh’s complaint, police rushed to the spot to rescue the driver and recover the excavator but were met with violent resistance.
“They targeted whoever they saw, without hesitation,” a senior police officer said.
The mob vandalised three police vehicles during the assault. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel intervened, using lathi charges and blank firing to disperse the attackers.
Weapons used in the attack have been seized.
On Wednesday, additional forces from Nagaon were deployed to stabilise the area.
Senior officials, including Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh and Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Dr V Siva Prasad Ganjala, reviewed the security situation.
IGP Singh confirmed the arrests and urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.
The Nagaon Senior Superintendent of Police and a senior officer from West Karbi Anglong also visited the clash site and Hojai Police Station.
The injured excavator driver and others are undergoing treatment in hospital.
Many locals have fled Digholbali fearing police action. Authorities are working to identify more individuals involved and restore calm.
Investigations are ongoing to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
