Three persons, including a school boy, were killed and over 50 injured when police opened fire to control a mob that ran riot on the streets of Guwahati to protest an eviction drive by the government.
The incident occurred when 10,000 to 15,000 people led by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader Akhil Gogoi went on the rampage near the state secretariat. The protesters torched at least a dozen government-run buses and private cars.
The protesters were demanding an end to the evictions of squatters from bamboo huts built into the hills around the city. Other demands included rehabilitation of the evicted persons and land pattas.
The mob comprising many evicted from the hills around the citycongregated at Dispur which is in the heart of Guwahati to stage a sit-in-demonstration in protest against the drive.
But, soon they turned violent damaging and torching vehicles. Police fired teargas shells and baton charged, besides firing in the air to disperse the mob. The mob retaliated by pelting stones.
Amidst this melee was caught nine-year-old Ruhul Ali. Ali was standing somewhere near the ground zero and was killed in firing.
However, police said they had fired blank shots. The other two deceased are Biren Kalita and Siba Kumar Sarma, official sources said. Kalita succumbed to injuries in hospital.
Official sources said over 50 persons, including policemen and journalists, were injured.
The senior superintendent of police and a deputy superintendent of police were among the injured. The condition of some of the injured was critical. The authorities have ordered an enquiry.
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