Violent Clashes Erupt in Chhattisgarh Over Coal Mine Expansion

A protest against a coal mining project turned violent in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district. Several police officers were injured and vehicles were set on fire. The incident occurred on Saturday in the Tamnar area.

Officials stated that a mob stormed a Jindal Power Limited facility. They torched equipment and vandalized offices. According to reports from PTI, the situation remains tense.

Details of the Tamnar Protest and Violence

Villagers from 14 affected areas had been staging a sit-in protest since December 12. They were opposing a public hearing for the Gare Pelma Sector-I coal block. The demonstration was largely peaceful until Saturday.

Around 2:30 PM, the crowd of roughly 1,000 people turned violent. They broke police barricades and attacked personnel with stones and sticks. A police bus, jeep, and ambulance were set ablaze.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Anil Vishwakarma was among those seriously injured. The mob then forced its way into the company’s coal handling plant. They set a conveyor belt and vehicles on fire there.

Broader Implications and Official Response

Local leaders and officials failed to calm the agitated crowd. Raigarh Collector Mayank Chaturvedi called the crowd “leaderless.” He stated that anti-social elements had provoked the protesters.

Villagers demand the cancellation of the proposed mining project. They allege the required public hearing was conducted against norms. The Congress party in Chhattisgarh blamed the state government’s “stubbornness” for the clash.

Police have tightened security in the area. Efforts are ongoing to identify those responsible for the violence. The condition of the injured is reported as stable.

The violent clashes in Chhattisgarh highlight the ongoing tension between industrial development and local land rights. This incident underscores the critical need for transparent and fair dialogue in resource projects. The fallout from this Chhattisgarh coal mine protest will likely influence future policy discussions.

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Q1: Where did the coal mine protest turn violent?

The violence occurred in the Tamnar area of Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh. It centered around the Gare Pelma Sector-I coal block and a Jindal Power Limited facility.

Q2: What caused the protest to become violent?

Officials claim anti-social elements provoked the crowd. Protesters allege police tried to remove them from their demonstration site, escalating tensions into stone-pelting and arson.

Q3: How many people were injured in the clashes?

Several police personnel were injured, including senior officers. The exact number is not confirmed, but injuries ranged from minor to serious, with some requiring transfer to Raigarh for treatment.

Q4: What are the villagers protesting?

Villagers from 14 affected villages protest the proposed coal mining project. They demand its cancellation, claiming a recent public hearing for environmental clearance violated established norms.

Q5: What has been the political response to the incident?

The opposition Congress party blamed the state government for forcibly displacing people. They termed the clash a result of governmental stubbornness in pushing the project forward against local will.

Q6: Is the situation now under control?

Police report the situation is tense but under control. Security has been heightened in the Tamnar area to prevent further outbreaks of violence.