Mob attacks anti-encroachment squad, torch excavator

A police officer was injured as a mob today attacked an anti-encroachment squad and torched an excavator in Bihar's Gaya district, officials said.
Locals gathered at Eastern point of Falgu river near Bhusunda locality and protested the anti-encroachment drive by a squad comprising BDO Shyam Mohan Singh, Mufassil police station SHO Prasad Singh and other officials, they said.
After their plea to stop anti-encroachment drive on 30-35 acres of public land did not cut ice with the squad, the locals, mostly encroachers, pelted stones on the squad members forcing them to retreat, officials said, adding that the SHO sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Police fired four-five rounds in the air to disperse the mob, locals claimed. However, SSP Ganesh Kumar denied the charges.
Additional reinforcement was sent to the locality to maintain law and order in view, officials said.