ALWAR, June 1 -- Ten people were injured in Rajasthan's Kotputli-Behror district after goons attacked and opened fire at villagers protesting against illegal mining in the Ajitpura-Kujeta belt on Monday, police said.

The incident triggered panic in the area, prompting the deployment of heavy police force to prevent further escalation. Villagers said they had been protesting against illegal mining and deep-hole blasting operations near residential areas for weeks and had faced attempts to end their protests.

District superintendent of police (SP) Satveer Singh said the villagers were holding a sit-in protest against mining activities when some unidentified men opened fire on them.

"Ten people were injured in the incident. Three of them ...