A violent confrontation erupted in Assam’s Goalpara district on Thursday morning at the Paikan Reserve Forest, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries, including among security personnel. The clash occurred during an operation to secure a section of the forest following an eviction drive conducted on July 12.
According to district officials, a joint team of forest department staff and police was deployed to cordon off the area and dig a channel to prevent re-encroachment. While preparatory work on Wednesday proceeded smoothly, tensions escalated on Thursday when a group, believed to be evicted settlers, attacked the team with sticks and stones.
A senior official stated, “The team was suddenly ambushed, forcing security forces to open fire to disperse the crowd and restore order.” The firing resulted in one death and two injuries among the attackers. Several forest guards and police personnel were also injured in the assault.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding eviction drives to clear encroachments from Assam’s forest lands, a contentious issue in the region. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further unrest.
