Violence at Runikhata Forest Office; Police Firing to Control Mob

KOKRAJHAR: A tense situation prevailed at the Runikhata Forest Range Office along the India–Bhutan border in Chirang district after protests over the detention of a person accused of encroaching on reserved forest land turned violent, prompting police firing to restore order.

Several government and private vehicles were vandalised and torched in the violence, creating a chaotic situation in the area.

Protesters strongly alleged that the concerned departmental personnel misbehaved during the detention of some persons late at night.

According to sources, the situation first flared late at night when a large group of local women surrounded the Forest Range Office, demanding the immediate release of the detained individual. The protest intensified as demonstrators staged a gherao and raised slogans against the forest department. During the initial confrontation, forest personnel resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, in which a young woman reportedly sustained serious injuries. The incident further fuelled anger among local residents.

On the following day, locals again gathered in large numbers and staged a strong protest in the area. The situation took a violent turn when protesters allegedly attacked police and forest personnel with lathis and pelted stones.

Officials said that security personnel opened fire to bring the situation under control after the crowd became aggressive and the law-and-order situation deteriorated. The firing triggered panic in the area and further heightened tensions.

Security forces have been deployed to prevent further escalation, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Further details regarding injuries and arrests are awaited.