Guwahati

A few forest officials were injured after a mob allegedly vandalised the Runikhata Forest Range Office in Assam on Friday, following the detention of several locals over alleged encroachment on reserved forest land, officials said.

According to authorities, the crowd ransacked the office premises, damaged residential quarters and set government vehicles on fire. The range office is located near the Bhutan border.

Senior police officers rushed to the area to control the situation as protesters also tried to block roads by burning furniture taken from the office and placing stones on the route.

Forest staff said some personnel were injured during the violence.

Officials said tensions had begun on Thursday after forest teams detained a few residents over alleged illegal cutting and clearing of land inside the Ripu–Chirang Reserve Forest, part of Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park along the India-Bhutan border.

A crowd had surrounded the office on Thursday night demanding the unconditional release of those detained, but dispersed without violence at that time.

However, on Friday morning, a larger mob reportedly armed with sticks and similar objects returned and attacked the premises. Protesters alleged that forest personnel had assaulted them the previous day and that two women had been injured.

Locals demanded action against the officials allegedly involved in the assault and raised slogans while police and civil administration officers attempted to calm the situation.

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A senior police officer appealed to demonstrators to formally submit complaints to the administration and allow time for an inquiry, stating that blocking roads and damaging public property would not solve the matter.