Patna: Seven individuals, including a woman, were arrested on Tuesday in connection with Monday's attack on a police team in Purnia district that left six police personnel injured. One constable sustained an arrow injury to the head.
The attack occurred during an anti-encroachment drive in Malnia Kamat village under the Champanagar police station area. A mob of around 300 people attacked the police team. The injured personnel were admitted to Srinagar Community Health Centre. The constable with the head injury was later referred to Purnia for further treatment, police said.
Background of the Incident
Police and administrative teams had gone to clear encroachment from 11 acres of land. Officials stated that more than 28 people had occupied the plot, which belongs to Sudhir Rishi of Vikrampatti Kavaiya Ward-4 under the Maranga police station area. He had filed a complaint seeking removal of encroachment.
As the police team began the eviction exercise, a large number of villagers gathered at the site. An argument soon broke out between the police and local residents. Police said they repeatedly asked the villagers to vacate the land, but the residents claimed they had been living there for a long time and refused to leave.
Violence Erupts
The situation turned violent when some members of the crowd allegedly attacked the police and administrative team with arrows, bricks, stones, and spears. Injured chowkidar Shankar Paswan recounted: “We were 60 in number. The team was getting the land vacated when villagers kept firing arrows and throwing stones. As I turned back, an arrow hit my head. More than 300 people attacked us. Three policemen suffered hand injuries. We were trying to explain, but they wouldn’t listen.”
Following the attack, police dispersed the crowd and brought the situation under control.
Arrests and Investigation
Sadar-2 SDPO Gaurav Kumar said seven people, including a woman, had been detained. “Information was received about assault on the magistrate and policemen who went to vacate the land. The land has been fenced and left vacant. Further investigation and raids are underway,” Gaurav stated.
The land has now been fenced and remains vacant. Authorities are continuing their investigation and conducting raids to apprehend any other suspects involved in the attack.
