Cairo - Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said on Sunday that it is necessary for the state to reclaim its land, following clashes that erupted between the police and residents of Warraq Island in Cairo when police attempted to remove illegal encroachments on state property. One civilian was killed in the clashes and 19 were injured, while 31 police personnel were also injured. State-news agency reported Ismail as saying that the state's efforts to reclaim state lands started in May, and that the state began this campaign "to restore the people's rights." Ismail also said that over 700 judicial decrees have been issued ordering illegal properties on Greater Cairo's Warraq Island be removed, and that property owners can still legalise their illegally-build properties. He also said that no agricultural land will be evacuated or destroyed. The interior ministry said in an earlier statement on Sunday that some of the residents of the island gathered and attacked the police with stones and birdshot rounds as they began a campaign to clear encroachments on the island, prompting forces to use tear gas to disperse them. Police arrested 10 people, who are currently being questioned for attacking the security forces, MENA quoted a second statement by the interior ministry as saying.