20 injured in clash at Delhi airport

Authorities say people are injured during a mob protesting against the closure of a road leading to their village near the international airport, clashed with the police.

At least 20 people were injured when a mob protesting against the closure of a road leading to their village near the international airport, clashed with the police, authorities said on Tuesday.

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The incident occurred late on Monday when residents of Shahbad Mohammadpur attacked the police with stones and other missiles after workers engaged in revamping the airport began constructing a boundary wall near their village.

The villagers also burnt a truck and a bulldozer after a road leading to their village was closed. Alleging that this had cut off their access to the city, the crowd blocked railway tracks affecting services on the Jaipur-Delhi route.

After some policemen were hurt in the mob fury, the police fired in the air and used batons to disperse the crowds, injuring several people including women and children.

Later, an official of Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) assured the villagers that the road leading to the village would not be shut.

"We will also provide the villagers an alternative road in future," the company official added.

Seven people were later arrested on charges of rioting, Deputy Commissioner of Police Naresh Kumar said.