Madhyapur Thimi, July 28:

Eleven people were seriously injured when squatters clashed with security personnel at Madhyapur Thimi-16. The clash ensued when security personnel tried to evacuate squatters from the private land that lies in the Manohara Land Plotting Project (MLPP).

Six police personnel, a local and four squatters were injured in the clash. Inspector Resham Shrestha said, “Around hundred squatters, who were building their huts, hurled stones at security personnel and public.”

According to Shrestha, inspector Madan Yadav and sub-inspector Bidur Sibakoti were among the injured.

They are undergoing treatment at the Thimi-based Korean Friendship Hospital.”

He said, “Babukaji KC, a local, also sustained head injury. Friends took away four squatters, who were injured in the incident.”

Police fired three tear gas shells to control the mob and found three khukuris, an iron rod and an axe near the site of the clash. Security personnel burnt squatters’ huts.

Around a hundred strangers arrived at the land plotting area last evening with bamboos and plastic sheets to build huts, said an eyewitness.

“This is the third time strangers have attempted to occupy the vacant space in the project area,” the eyewitness said.

According to a source, Balaram Bogati, a local of Imadol, Lalitpur, called the strangers, promising to provide land inside the project area with just Rs 1,700. Locals said project authorities were to blame for squatters’ bid to capture the land.

They said, “Squatters have been trying to capture the private land time and time again because the authorities have not been taking this issue seriously.”

MLPP chief Sanjaya Raj Upadhaya said the project was trying its best to protect the land from

encroachers.