RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Jan 19: The villagers attacked a police team in Taljhari in Godda district leaving a police officer injured. In retaliation, police resorted to lathi charge and aerial firing to disperse the violent crowd.
Notably, the incident took place when a team of district administration reached the village for the demarcation of land acquired for Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) for coal mining.
“Villagers were equipped with bows and arrows while police were equipped with firearms and sticks. As the district administration started demarcation work despite protests, villagers lost their cool and started shooting arrows at police. SDPO Shiv Shanker Tiwari sustained injuries. After the police officer sustained injuries police officials resorted to lathi charge to disperse the agitating villagers,” a local resident said.
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Another resident said that the situation had been tense since Wednesday when a team of district administration reached the village plan land demarcation.
“On Wednesday, the police administration acted with restraint, but on Thursday the administration showed a tough attitude. DC Jishan Qamar and SP Nathu Singh Meena were camping at the spot,” a villager said.
A local resident said approximately 100 acres were acquired for mining but villagers were not in favour of excavation activities in the village. For the last five years, the negotiation was going on but that did not work. Finally, this situation arose.
