In Aligarh's Qaimpur area, villagers pelted stones at the municipal corporation team that had gone to remove encroachment from government land. During this, the SDM's vehicle was also attacked, but he narrowly escaped. Police have detained several people.
Aligarh: Chaos erupted in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday evening when a municipal corporation team arrived in the Qaimpur area to remove illegal encroachment from government land. Protesting the action, villagers pelted stones at the team, leading to a commotion at the scene. During this, SDM Sumit Kumar's vehicle also became a target of the crowd. The windows were shattered, and the team had to somehow flee for their lives. Police have detained several people, and additional forces have been deployed in the area.
Villagers enraged by action without prior notice
The incident took place in Qaimpur village, under Mahuakheda police station, where the municipal corporation team arrived around 6 PM to survey government land and remove encroachment. Villagers allege that the team initiated unilateral action without any prior information or notice. As soon as local residents received the news, dozens of villagers reached the spot and started protesting.
In no time, the crowd turned violent and surrounded the municipal corporation staff. Soon after, people started chanting slogans and pelting stones, injuring several team members. Due to the sudden escalation of the situation, a stampede broke out among the employees present at the scene.
Stones rained down on SDM's vehicle
During this time, coincidentally, SDM Sumit Kumar was passing by. The crowd mistook his vehicle for that of the municipal corporation team and attacked it. The stone-pelting was so intense that all the windows of the SDM's vehicle were shattered, and the rear part of the vehicle was completely damaged.
According to sources, the SDM and his team somehow managed to run away from the spot and took refuge at a nearby location. In the attack, two municipal corporation employees sustained minor injuries, while the SDM narrowly escaped. Following the incident, there was an uproar in the local administration.
Police force from five police stations arrived at the scene
Upon receiving information, police teams from Mahuakheda police station, along with four other nearby police stations, were immediately dispatched to the scene. CO Kamlesh Kumar led the efforts to bring the situation under control. He stated, “Our team reached the incident site within five minutes. The situation is now under control, but additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incidents.”
Police have detained several rioters, and others are being identified through video footage. Officials have clearly stated that “those who obstruct government work and attack officials will not be spared at any cost.”
Administration warns of strict action
The Aligarh administration has termed this incident a serious challenge to law and order. Officials stated that freeing government land from encroachment is the administration's priority, and in the future, such actions will not be carried out without adequate security.
SDM Sumit Kumar said, “We will proceed with action by establishing dialogue with the public, but strict action will be taken against those who go against the law.” Currently, there is an atmosphere of tension in the area, although the situation is reported to be completely under control after a b police presence.
