Alwar, June 2 -- At least 10 people were injured when unidentified persons fired on villagers protesting against illegal mining in Kotputli-Behror district's Ajitpura-Kujeta area, police said, adding that three of the injured are critical. The incident occurred at a protest site where villagers had been staging a long-running agitation against alleged illegal mining and deep-hole blasting operations near residential areas. The firing triggered panic in the village and prompted the deployment of heavy police forces to prevent any further escalation. Superintendent of police, Satveer Singh said villagers were holding a sit-in protest against illegal mining when police received information that unidentified persons had opened fire on them. "Ten people were injured in the incident. Three of them have been referred to Jaipur due to the seriousness of their injuries," the SP said. Those injured include Madan Verma (69), Sugan Chand (65), Dashrath (40), Karishma (16), Mahendra (46), Jagdish (60) and Kalu (60). Vinay Singh (26), Deepak (29) and Kalu Khan (65) were referred to Jaipur for advanced treatment. Villagers said the stir had been underway for 292 days against mining activities allegedly being carried out by a limestone firm in a populated area. Netaram Dhakad, a resident of Ajitpura-Kujeta, said villagers had been protesting against mining and deep blasting operations near residential settlements. He alleged that on May 30, the administration forcibly removed the protest site and seized materials belonging to the protesters. Following the action, villagers decided to submit a memorandum to the district administration on Monday morning before resuming their protest. According to locals, some villagers remained at the cremation ground near the protest site while others returned to Kotputli after finding roads blocked. Villagers alleged that during this time, a group of men arrived in three vehicles and attacked those at the protest site. The assailants allegedly opened fire and pelted stones at protesters. Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. SP Singh said investigators had recovered two empty cartridge cases from the scene. "Whether all the injuries were caused by gunshots will be confirmed only after medical reports are received. Police teams are searching for the accused," he said....