Tension erupted in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district’s Barkagaon block on Tuesday when villagers created chaos during a public hearing for NTPC’s Badam Coal Block after the venue was shifted without prior intimation. The sudden change from the scheduled location at Barkagaon block headquarters to Mahgai Kala sparked outrage among residents, who claimed they were deliberately kept in the dark.
As the agitated crowd arrived at the new venue, they clashed with NTPC officials, government representatives, and police personnel. Several individuals, including NTPC Badam General Manager AK Saxena sustained injuries in the confrontation.
The situation quickly escalated as protesters allegedly took officials and police officers hostage for some time and launched physical attacks on them.
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In the midst of the unrest, the mob reportedly vandalised around 15 government and police vehicles. Eyewitnesses said that both sides engaged in heated arguments before the violence broke out, leaving multiple officers and security staff injured.
Following the incident, the administration moved swiftly to deploy additional police forces to the area to prevent further escalation. Officials later confirmed that order had been restored, although the atmosphere in the region remains tense.
Local authorities condemned the attack, describing it as a serious breach of law and order. “We are in the process of identifying all those involved in the violence. Strict legal action will be taken against the culprits,” an official spokesperson stated.
The Badam Coal Block project has been a point of contention in the region, with locals expressing concerns over displacement, environmental impact, and lack of transparency.
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