Cuttack (Orissa), July 04: At least 12 policemen were injured in a clash with slum dwellers during an eviction drive near S C B Medical College and Hospital here today.
An equal number of protesters, including CPI(M) leader and state ‘Basti Unnayan Maha Sangha’ President Subash Singh, were also hurt in the clash during which police lobbed teargas shells and resort to cane charge to quell the stone-pelting mob, police said.
Protestors hurled bricks at the police and attacked the government officials who had come to supervise the drive, they said.
However, slum dwellers alleged that trouble began when some policemen set ablaze few shanties.
DCP A N Sinha refused any charge of police high-handedness and claimed that police resorted to cane charge for self-defence.
–Agencies