Patna, July 9 (IANS) A major clash broke out on Thursday during an anti-encroachment operation in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bihar’s West Champaran district after local residents protested against the Forest Department’s action to remove alleged encroachments from forest land.

The confrontation took place at Dhanhiya, near Thadi village, under the Valmikinagar forest range, and resulted in injuries to several people as well as the burning of a JCB machine deployed for the operation.

A joint team of the Forest Department and the district police had reached the area to remove alleged illegal encroachments from VTR forest land.

As the operation began, local residents gathered at the site and staged a protest.

The situation soon escalated into a violent confrontation between the protesters and the officials.

During the unrest, an agitated mob allegedly set a JCB machine on fire, disrupting the anti-encroachment drive.

Around half a dozen people, including members of the administration and local residents, sustained injuries during the incident.

The exact extent of the injuries has not yet been officially confirmed.

Witnesses said hundreds of villagers, including a large number of women, assembled at the location and surrounded the Forest Department team.

As tensions mounted, personnel from Valmikinagar Police Station were called to the scene.

However, the police initially faced difficulties in dispersing the crowd because of its size and aggressive stance.

In view of the deteriorating situation, SDPO Nihar Bhushan and an SSB Commandant reached the spot with additional police personnel.

Officials held discussions with the protesters, brought the situation under control, and safely evacuated the Forest Department team from the area.

Following the incident, additional police and Forest Department personnel were deployed to prevent any further escalation.

SDPO Nihar Bhushan said the police responded immediately after receiving information about the clash.

“Police reached the spot after receiving information about a scuffle between the Forest Department team and locals. The situation has been brought under control by pacifying the people, and the Forest Department team has been safely evacuated. The situation is currently under control,” he said.

The administration has stated that steps are being taken to maintain law and order in the area.

Officials said further action will be decided after consultations with Forest Department authorities. The administration also reiterated that the drive to remove illegal encroachments from forest land would continue and warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found resorting to violence or obstructing government officials in the discharge of their duties.

Tension continues to prevail in the area, and security forces remain deployed as a precaution.

–IANS

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