About a dozen injured, as police and villagers clash over encroachment in Noida

Noida, Dec.16 (ANI): About a dozen people including security personnel suffered injuries here during a scuffle between police and local residents of Noida when the latter tried to prevent a demolition squad on Tuesday from evicting persons from the encroached piece of land.

It all started when encroachers were being evicted, agitated mob started pelting stones at them and damaged vehicles. As the police tried to control the protestors, who were allegedly preventing officials of Noida Authority to demolish encroachments from a piece of land, it led to a clash between the protestors and police personnel.

Police retaliated by opening air fire and baton charge.

"In Bhaktapur, this was land of Noida authority, and people had encroached here. This encroachment was demolished yesterday and today also they were being demolished. People started pelting stones, and many policemen have sustained injuries, they have been sent for first-aid," said Ashok Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police.

Some of the residents were also taken into custody, police said. (ANI)