Jharkhand: 2 dead, several injured as clashes outside thermal plant in Ramgarh turn violent

On 30 August, a clash broke out in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district as an argument between officials of Inland Power Limited (IPL) and locals turned violent. The police had to intervene to take control of the situation, and opened fire, killing two people and leaving several others injured.

The discussion about jobs and compensation-related issues outside the power plant in Ramgarh's Gola area spiralled out of control as an angry mob started pelting stones, and set vehicles on fire.

"We have recovered two bodies. Six people have been referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences as they sustained serious injuries," Hazaribagh DIG Upendra Prasad told Indian Express.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das commented on the incident, and sought a report from the DGP. Heavy police patrol has been deployed in the area in the wake of the attacks, and prohibitory orders have been imposed by the district administration.

Police reports suggest that clashes broke out when the IPL authorities met with the residents of eight villages in the vicinity of the thermal plant, who wanted to secure jobs in the plant and were making demands of compensation for their land.

While a delegation of six people were supposed to take part in the discussions, hundreds of people showed up at the plant gates.

"It appears that an argument took place, following which the mob started throwing stones. Dashrath Mahato, a resident of Bariatu village who was in his 50s, was found dead. The identity of the second deceased was not confirmed," Hazaribagh DIG Upendra Prasad was quoted to have said in an Indian Express report.