Violence broke out in Barkagaon, Hazaribagh, during a land compensation camp for NTPC’s Badam Coal Mining Project. Several officials and villagers were injured. The venue was changed suddenly, which led to protests and stone-pelting. Around two dozen vehicles were damaged. Police used Lathi-charge to control the crowd. Security has been increased in the area.
In Barkagaon, Hazaribagh many people, including senior NTPC officials, police personnel, and villagers, were injured today on 12th August in violent clashes at a land compensation camp for NTPC’s Badam Coal Mining Project in Barkagaon block of Hazaribagh district. Several administrative and company vehicles were damaged as the situation escalated, prompting a heavy deployment of security forces in the area.
The incident took place around 2 pm in Sukul Khapia village under Mahugai Kala panchayat, where a Gram Sabha was scheduled in connection with the Badam Coal Mining Project. BGR Mining & Infra Limited, the mine developer and operator (MDO) for NTPC’s Badam Coal Project organized the Gram Sabha. According to officials, the compensation camp was initially planned at the Barkagaon block office but was shifted at short notice to the Mahugai Kala Panchayat Bhawan due to heavy crowding at the original venue.
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Police Resorted to Lathi-charge to Control the Situation
The sudden change of location reportedly angered villagers from Gondalpura, Badam, Raut, Para, and nearby villages, who were opposing the project. As the crowd reached the new venue, tempers flared. Villagers allegedly threw sand at officials before pelting stones, injuring NTPC’s Head of Project (GM) Arun Saxena, Deputy Managers Surjeet and Manjunath, Land Acquisition Officer Vishal Kumar, Barkagaon Circle Officer Manoj Kumar, Amin Zakir Hussain, and several police personnel. Barkagaon SDPO Pawan Kumar was also reportedly surrounded by women during the incident and managed to escape without serious injury. On the villagers’ side, several people, including Kannu Mahto, Kunwar Mahto, and Ramsevak Mahto, sustained serious injuries. Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, around two dozen vehicles belonging to the administration and NTPC, including those of the DLAO, SDPO, CO, and Barkagaon police station in-charge, were damaged.
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Local Landowners Opposing the Project Over Compensation
Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh and Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan rushed to the site with additional forces and reviewed the situation. “The situation remains tense but under control,” a senior police officer said. NTPC officials declined to comment on the incident. All injured persons are out of danger and are receiving treatment at local health facilities, with several shifted to Hazaribagh for further care. The Badam coal mining project, part of NTPC’s expansion in the region, has faced opposition from sections of landowners and villagers over compensation and rehabilitation issues. Authorities have maintained that the project is critical for ensuring fuel supply to NTPC’s power plants, but local resistance has periodically flared into confrontation.
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