Police hit with sticks during anti-encroachment drive in UP's Chandauli, 12 held

 A police and administrative team was attacked by residents of a village here on Wednesday when they arrived to remove alleged encroachments from government land, leaving a home guard and a forest official injured, officials said.

The incident took place in Bhardua-Visheshwarpur village in Naugarh tehsil.

Police used mild force to bring the situation under control while 12 people, including men and women, have been detained, officials said.

Superintendent of Police Akash Patel said the land dispute has been continuing for the past two to three months.

Some villagers had been allegedly making repeated attempts to encroach upon land belonging to the forest department. They had also allegedly planted paddy on land belonging to people who had traditionally been farming there for around 50 years, he said.

Following complaints, a joint team of the forest, revenue and police officials reached the spot at around 1.30 pm to take action, the SP said.

"When the team began the process of freeing government land from encroachment, villagers attacked the police and administrative personnel with sticks," Patel said.

Around 60 men and women were allegedly involved in the attack, he said.

A home guard and a forest ranger sustained head injuries in the assault and were provided medical treatment, officials said.

Naugarh Circle Officer Devendra Kumar said a case has been registered against 20 named persons under various sections, including those related to obstruction of government work and encroachment on government land.

Police are identifying other people involved in the attack, and strict action will be taken against them, the officer said.