Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Apr 27: Three persons were killed and 22 others, including the Superintendent of Police were injured in a clash between protestors and police during the anti-encroachment drive at Matkoria area here today after which indefinite curfew was clamped in the town.
“Three persons were killed in the clash and 22 people, including policemen, injured in the clash, which broke out following provocation of some anti-socials. Superintendent of Police P R K Dhan was injured, besides the anti-socials hurled stones at my vehicle as well,” Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar Burnwal told a news conference here.
The dead were identified as Sanjay Rawani, Dinesh Hari and Vikash Kumar Jha, the DC said.
“Seeing the situation, indefinite curfew has been clamped in the Dhanbad Corporation area till further orders,” Burnwal said.
The condition of one of the injured was stated to be critical, the police said and added all the injured, some of whom received bullet injuries, were admitted to different hospitals.
The SP had a deep cut just above one of his eyes, but he returned to the spot after being treated upon to maintain law and order, the DIG (Coalbelt), Umesh Kumar Singh, said.
The clash broke out when the residents allegedly resisted demolition of their houses at Matkoria under Kenduadih police station.
The residents, who allegedly encroached upon the land of Bharat Coking Coal Limited, had been served notice to vacate the area and today was the date for the demolition work, the police said.
The police said they had first used water cannons and lathis before opening fire after crude bombs and gunfire were used against them.
The anti-encroachment drive has been going on at various places in the state for the last four weeks after high court directed the administration to implement its orders passed between 2003 and 2006 against encroachment of government land.
On April 5 two persons had been killed and 20 others injured when police opened fire on protesters of anti-encroachment drive at Islam Nagar in Ranchi. PTI
