The incident occurred when a large number of agitated ethnic Garos carrying sharp weapons obstructed construction of a patch of wall in the forest.

The forest department undertook a project, 'Forest Conservation and Eco-tourism' for construction of fence around 3,000 acres of forestland at the end 2000.

The agitating people were from Shadhurpara of Shulakuri union, Kakraghuni, Joynagasa, Sataria and Bijoypur Gathee at Gaina village.

Locals alleged police and forest guards opened fire when the agitated Garos put up a strong resistance to the construction work. In the ensuing clash between policemen and the ethnic mob, Utpal Nokrek, 20, son of Pritom Sangma of village Bedhurian and Piren San, 20, son of Nezen Nokrek of village Joinagasa, died on the spot and 25 others including women and children received injuries.

The local ethnic people consider the project a threat to their livelihood and have been protesting it. The forest department suspended the work last July. However, the forest officials along with policemen and forest guards started building the fence yesterday.

The deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police visited the spot.