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Demolition –  Eight government officials, including police officers and revenue department staff, were injured on Tuesday after a demolition operation in Ballia district turned violent, according to information shared by authorities. The incident took place in Hathauj village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Khejuri police station, when villagers allegedly attacked a joint administrative team carrying out a court-directed drive.

Court-Directed Operation Turns Confrontational

Officials said the demolition activity was conducted in compliance with directions issued by the Allahabad High Court. The action focused on removing illegal encroachments from land surrounding a village pond, an area classified as public property. To carry out the order, a joint team comprising revenue officials and police personnel was formed and sent to the site early in the day.

The operation was led by the sub-divisional magistrate of Sikandarpur, along with the local tehsildar, members of the revenue department, and a police contingent deployed to maintain law and order during the process.

Sudden Stone-Pelting by Villagers

According to police accounts, the situation escalated shortly after the team reached Hathauj village. A section of villagers allegedly began pelting stones at the officials without warning. Authorities stated that the crowd appeared to have been provoked by certain individuals, leading to a sudden outbreak of violence and disorder.

Additional Superintendent of Police (North) Dinesh Kumar Shukla confirmed that the attack occurred while officials were in the process of executing the demolition order. He said the team had little time to react as stones were thrown from multiple directions, creating chaos at the site.

Officials Injured, Taken to Hospital

Station House Officer Mithilesh Kumar said that five police personnel and three revenue department officials sustained injuries during the incident. The injured officials were promptly transported to a nearby government hospital, where they received medical treatment. Hospital sources indicated that none of the injuries were life-threatening, though several officials suffered bruises and minor fractures.

The demolition drive was halted temporarily following the violence to ensure the safety of personnel and assess the situation on the ground.

Legal Action and Arrests Underway

Police officials confirmed that a criminal case has been registered at the Khejuri police station in connection with the attack. The case names two identified individuals and includes approximately 150 unidentified persons, reflecting the size of the group allegedly involved in the stone-pelting and rioting.

The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering charges related to rioting, obstruction of public servants, and causing injuries to officials performing their lawful duties.

As of Tuesday evening, seven individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident. Police teams are conducting raids in nearby areas to identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the violence. Officials said surveillance and local intelligence are being used to track down those who fled the scene.

Administration Reaffirms Commitment to Law Enforcement

Senior officials reiterated that the demolition drive was lawful and carried out strictly under court orders. They emphasized that attacks on government personnel would not be tolerated and that those responsible would face strict legal consequences.

Authorities also indicated that the encroachment removal drive would resume once adequate security arrangements are in place. The district administration said it remains committed to protecting public land and implementing judicial directives while ensuring the safety of officials and residents alike.