RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Dec.7: Around 12 persons were injured after police resorted to lathi charge to disperse an agitated mob at Chanho block of Ranchi district on Tuesday. The villagers had turned up to participate in the Gram Sabha meeting organized to take decision in the matter of construction of Eklavya Residential School at Shilagain in Chanho.
The situation came around 1p.m. when the real voters of Gram Sabha did not reach a sufficient number while those not in favor of the construction of school turned up in big numbers.
“Out of 2,100 real voters, hardly 150 turned up. Apart from this, around 1,500 outsiders also turned up to influence the meeting. Seeing the poor response of real voters and anticipating trouble, the administration decided to postpone the meeting in the interest of everyone, following which a clash broke out. Those who had turned up to influence the meeting, turned violent. Sensing the gravity of the situation, mild force was used and the situation was brought under control. Among the injured, the police number is not less than five,” S.P.(rural) Naushad Alam said confirming the incident.
A section of tribals is opposing the construction of a school at Chanho saying that the land which is being used for the work belongs to the Shaheed Budhu Bhagat Memorial Trust. On the other hand, people in favor of construction are of the opinion that the land was demarcated for the work three years and ago and there is nothing wrong if construction of the school takes place there as it is in the interest of tribals.
A few days ago, the boundary wall of the school was demolished by the group not in favor of construction of school there. An FIR was also registered in this connection.
