MLA Shweta Singh Detained After Failed Talks in Bokaro Steel Plant Dispute; Stone-Pelting on Fire Brigade, Several Injured, City Tense.
Bokaro News: Negotiations between the administration and protesters in Bokaro ended without result on Friday evening. Subsequently, the administration took strict action, clearing the highway blockade and restoring traffic. Around 10 PM, the blockade at the main gate of the Bokaro Steel Plant was removed. MLA Shweta Singh, who was leading the protest, was detained along with her supporters.
Protesting Workers Appeal to PM and Home Minister for Intervention
After the clearing of various gates of the Bokaro Steel Plant, anger spread among the stranded workers. Many workers appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah via Twitter. They allege their voices are being suppressed and their problems ignored.
DC and SP Appeal for Peace
Following the incidents, Bokaro's DC Vijaya Jadhav and SP Manoj Swargiyari appealed to the district residents to maintain peace. They clearly stated that strict action would be taken against those obstructing law and order. Additional police forces have been deployed to maintain peace.
Clashes in Harla Police Station Area
Amidst the protests, a clash occurred between supporters of the shutdown and residents of the slums in the Harla police station area. It is reported that shutdown supporters attempted to damage the slums, leading to a fight and injuries to more than six people. The injured are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Anger Spreads After Youth's Death Following Lathi Charge
The situation deteriorated after news emerged of a young man's death during a lathi charge (police baton charge) on Thursday evening. Shutdown supporters became active during the night and forcibly closed shops in major markets like Naya Mod and Cooperative Mod. Panic ensued at the Bokaro Mall, with people switching off lights for safety.
Shutdown supporters closed the PBR Cinema, requiring police intervention to evacuate people. Simultaneously, reports of arson emerged from the City and Harla police station areas, prompting the fire brigade to respond. However, the crowd pelted stones at the police and fire brigade vehicles en route.
Firefighters Injured
Two fire brigade personnel, Radhakrishna Kumar Singh and Bablu Yadav, were injured in the stone-pelting, and the vehicle's window was shattered. The fire officer confirmed these events. The vehicle was stopped near Sector-4 police station. Additionally, another vehicle responding to a report of a burning truck in the Harla police station area was stopped by the crowd, forcing the team to return.
Crowd Stops Police Bus
A police bus arriving from Dhanbad was reportedly stopped by the crowd near the ADM building. The officers were forced to return to the City police station. Meanwhile, the attitude of shutdown supporters in and around Naya Mod became suddenly aggressive, creating a tense atmosphere. Police tried to control the situation but appeared helpless against the crowd.
