Bokaro – A long-standing jobs dispute turned violent in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district on Wednesday, as villagers clashed with police and officials of a private steel company, leaving a police officer injured.
Manish Kumar, the in-charge of Siyaljory police station, sustained a severe head injury during the clash and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The unrest stemmed from Vedanta Electrosteel Company in Chandankiyari block, where residents from Chandaha, Siyaljory, Bhagabandh, and nearby villages have been demanding local hiring. Villagers allege the company continues to bring in outside workers, despite repeated promises to prioritize locals.
On Wednesday morning, under the banner of the Jharkhand Shoshan Mukti Ulgulan Manch, hundreds of villagers blocked a key road at Alkusha, halting traffic for several hours.
When Manish Kumar arrived with his team to clear the protest, he tried to assure villagers that discussions with management would be held. The protesters, however, demanded written guarantees directly from company officials.
The situation escalated after arguments broke out. As the crowd grew, police resorted to baton charges, sparking further violence. In the melee, Kumar was injured.
Authorities have since deployed additional forces in and around the plant and nearby villages. While the situation is under control, tensions remain high.
This is not the first such incident — locals have previously protested over jobs, compensation for displaced families, and unmet commitments made during land acquisition.
With inputs from IANS