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New Delhi: Two civilians were killed and nine policemen injured on Thursday when an anti-encroachment drive in Assam's Darrang district blew up into a brutal clash between the police and people protesting eviction. On camera, policemen in riot gear and armed with guns and sticks chased and attacked protesters and even firing shots.
In horrifying visuals, a government cameraman filming the clash attacked a protester who had earlier followed him with a stick. The protester, beaten by policemen, lay motionless as the cameraman kept attacking him until he was restrained. The police have arrested the cameraman.
The state government has ordered a probe - to be headed by a retired High Court judge - into Thursday's violence.
Some 800 families were evicted in the drive against encroachments at Dholpur on Monday. The state wants to repossess 4,500 bighas of government land for an agricultural project.
The police said local people attacked them with stones and they had to use force.
"Nine of our policemen were injured. Two civilians were also injured. They have been shifted to hospital. Now things are normal," Superintendent of Police Sushanta Biswa Sarma said.
Mr Sarma, who was at the site of the clash, added, "We couldn't complete the eviction because of the situation. We will assess later. We are returning as of now."