Jharkhand: 1 dead, 1 ‘seriously injured’ in police firing at Ramgarh power plant

The officials said that the toll could rise as another person, as yet unidentified, has been referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, following serious injury.

The district administration has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in area. Heavy police force has been deployed to keep a vigil. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das ordered an inquiry into the firing incident. Deputy Inspector General and Commissioner of Hazaribagh have been asked to submit a report within one week.

The clashes occurred after the officials of the Inland Power Limited (IPL) had called a delegation of nearby villagers to talk about their various demands including giving them jobs and compensation-related issues.

According to the police, IPL, a thermal power plant located in Gola area of Ramgarh district, had been operating its first phase (63 Mega-Watt) since 2014 and another 63 MW is in the offing. The villagers from around eight nearby villages had been demanding jobs within the plant and also adequate compensation against land acquisition.

On Monday, the management had called a delegation of around half-a-dozen people from the village to discuss the issue. However, hundreds of people reached the factory gate. It appears that some argument took place, following which the mob resorted stone-pelting. They targeted the BDO, who was hit just beneath his eyes and had to be hospitalised. His vehicle was also set afire. It is suspected that there was even some firing from the crowd. The police had to open fire to disperse the mob. One person, later identified as Dashrath Mahato, in his 50s, and a resident of Bariatu village, was found dead following the melee. The villagers also claimed that another person has been killed. However, it has not been confirmed yet. Some people have been rushed to hospital. “We are keeping a watch,” said DIG (Hazaribagh) Upendra Prasad, who was on his way to the spot.

Another police officer said that around 25-30 policemen have sustained injuries. As of now, Section 144 CrPC has been clamped in the area. The situation went out of control when hundreds of people reached the factory to talk to the plant officials when only a delegation was invited, he said.

More than a week ago, people had gathered outside the plant with similar demands and locked the main gate. However, the police reached the spot and used mild force to disperse the mob.

Then too, the mob was led by one Rajiv Jaiswal. This time too, he was in the lead. It is being said that he had got a few of his dumpers associated with the plant. However, the officials had, for some reason, stopped his vehicles from operating.

“We have reasons to suspect that he was instrumental in orchestrating the violence. However, a detailed inquiry will be conducted before we reach any conclusion,” said Prasad.