Villagers assault officials; many hurt

Guna, MP, Oct 15 (UNI) More than two dozens of people have been injured and police fired 30 rounds in ''self-defence'' after hundreds of villagers assaulted a team of about 50 officials who had gone to prevent illegal quarrying near Chanderi in Ashoknagar district.

''The villagers pelted stones and flung burning tyres yesterday.

Roughly 30 officials were hurt. The team included the police, revenue and forest department officials. Divisional Forest Officer N L Lahadia had a narrow escape,'' Chanderi's Town Inspector Praveen Ashtana said today.

A case has been lodged against 26 persons and more than 100 unidentified offenders for obstructing government work, assault and other charges. All the accused are absconding. A truck and four tractors were among the half-a-dozen vehicles damaged.

Sources said that the police had seized stone worth several lakh rupees in Kanawta village area near Chanderi.

UNI XC-AC SP HT1945