Bismarck (North Dakota), Oct 28 (IANS) Authorities moved in on protesters who had set up a camp on private land to block construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline, media reports said.
The monthslong protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline came to a head on Thursday, as authorities and protesters clashed over disputed territory near the pipeline's path, CNN reported.
"Protesters escalated unlawful behaviour this weekend by setting up illegal roadblocks, trespassing onto private property and establishing an encampment (actions that) forced law enforcement to respond at this time," Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said.
More than 127 have been arrested and authorities from seven other states have been called in to help remove protesters who also set fire to tyres and debris.
The incident came after more than 80 people were arrested last week and authorities used pepper spray on demonstrators.
On Wednesday, law enforcement officials demanded that the protesters leave the private land but they refused.
The months-long dispute over the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline stems from protesters who say ongoing construction of the four-state (1,172-mile) pipeline will threaten the environment and destroy Native American culturally significant sites.
Pipeline developer company Energy Transfer Partners, on whose land the protesters are camping, and the state of North Dakota say no sensitive cultural sites have been found.
