Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that he has ordered a judicial probe into the violence during eviction drive in Sipajhar in Darrang district, adding over 11 policemen were also injured in the untoward incident.
“We will carry out inquiry on how cameraman came into the scene and why he tried to overpower that particular person,” he added.
READ: Assam: Cameraman Seen In Viral Police Firing Video Arrested, CID To Probe
Sarma said the eviction drive was urgent and added it was not done overnight.
“This was urgent. It was not done overnight, discussions were on for four months. The Congress delegation had met me and agreed on land allotment to landless...27,000 acres of land has to be productively used...There was a temple, which was also encroached upon,” he said, ANI reported.
Sarma said that the state government expected no resistance from the people.
“The eviction drive was initiated with an agreed principle...that landless will be provided 2 acres each as per land policy, the representatives agreed. We expected no resistance but about 10,000 people gheraoed the Assam Police and used violence then the police retaliated,” he said.
The Assam Chief Minister also asked who instigated the violence.
“You cannot demean the state government with one video...Since 1983 that area is known for killings... Otherwise, normally the people don't encroach on temple land,” said Sarma, ANI reported.
“I have seen encroachments all around. Peaceful eviction drive was agreed upon, but who instigated?” he asked.
At least two people lost their lives after clashes broke out in Sipajhar on Thursday as thousands protested against the government’s ongoing eviction drive against “illegal encroachers”.