Violence erupts over coal block protest in Tamnar SDM’s vehicle torched, woman SHO injured

 

 

 

 

A prolonged protest against coal block allocation in Tamnar block of Raigarh district spiralled into violence on Saturday, triggering stone-pelting, arson and clashes between villagers and police. Tension gripped the area after angry protesters set fire to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) vehicle, while a woman Station House Officer (SHO) sustained serious injuries in the unrest.

 

The violence broke out when police moved to clear a sit-in protest at CHP Chowk, where villagers had been agitating for the past 15 days demanding cancellation of a proposed public hearing related to a coal mining project. Protesters allege the project would cause severe environmental damage and lead to large-scale displacement. As police action began, the situation deteriorated rapidly.

 

Around 30 to 35 villagers were detained and taken to the police station, following which protesters turned aggressive, pelting stones at the police from multiple directions. Reinforcements were rushed in to control the situation. A bus was vandalised during the violence. In the chaos, woman SHO Kamla Pusam was allegedly assaulted and suffered serious injuries. She was immediately admitted to hospital.

 

The situation worsened further after a villager reportedly sustained injuries in a road accident during the clearance operation, fuelling anger among the crowd. The protest centres around land acquisition and the proposed mining of the Gare-Pelma Sector-1 coal block in the Dhaurabhatha area of Tamnar, allocated to Jindal Industries. What began as a confrontation at

 

CHP Chowk soon escalated into a full-scale clash. According to local sources, arson incidents were reported at multiple locations. Protesters targeted the SDM’s official vehicle and set it ablaze, prompting the administration to deploy additional police forces and intensify surveillance in the area. The situation in Tamnar remains tense, though police officials while confirming the incident claimed it is under control. Continuous patrolling is being carried out to maintain law and order. The district administration has appealed to residents to maintain peace and warned that strict action will be taken against those involved in violence and vandalism.