KHERONI, India — A violent clash unfolded in Hojai district on Tuesday night, leading to the arrest of at least seven individuals after a mob attacked police and media personnel in Digholbali, a region recently affected by flooding. The incident, involving approximately 100 locals armed with sharp objects and bamboo sticks, left several law enforcement officers injured, including a female sub-inspector.
The unrest appears to stem from an ongoing dispute over illegal mining activities along the banks of the Kapili River, where residents have long reported unauthorized extraction of sand and soil. Authorities had previously ignored multiple complaints from local citizens about the escalating issue. The tension ignited when an excavator, designated for sand collection and operated by a man identified as Bijesh, was intercepted by residents who opposed the operation.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the mob aggressively confronted the excavator operator, tying him to a pole before beating him severely. Police arrived in response to Bijesh’s report but encountered violent resistance from the armed group. A senior police officer noted that the mob indiscriminately targeted anyone in their path, leading to further assaults and damage, with three police vehicles vandalized during the chaos.
In response to the escalating violence, personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed to the area, utilizing lathi charges and warning shots to disperse the crowd. Authorities have since confiscated the weapons utilized in the attack. Additional police units from nearby Nagaon have now been sent to restore order and ensure the safety of the community.
Senior police officials conducted a review of the security situation in the area. Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order), confirmed the arrests of seven suspects charged with assaulting law enforcement and damaging public property. He emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order, urging locals to refrain from taking justice into their own hands.
As investigations continue, medical treatments are underway for the injured excavator driver and other victims at a local hospital. Digholbali residents are reportedly fleeing the area due to concerns over potential police retaliation. Authorities are bolstering efforts to track down additional individuals involved in the violence, aiming to restore peace and accountability in the community.