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| Dhanbad News |
Two persons were killed and over 15, including the Dhanbad Superintendent of Police were injured in a clash between locals and the police during an anti-encroachment drive at Matkoria in Dhanbad district, police said today. "Two persons were killed in the clash and 15 others were injured," Deputy Inspector General of Police Umesh Kumar Singh said over phone. The DIG said the police had to open fire after being fired upon by the protesters during the clash. An injured constable has been admitted to Sadar hospital while Dhanbad Superintendent of Police R K Dhan was injured when protestors hurled stones on the police, police said. The clash broke out when the locals 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. According to eyewitnesses, the police used water cannons and lathis before opening fire in the air after crude bombs were hurled and gun shots fired on them, allegedly by the protesters. The anti-encroachment drive has been going on at various places in the state for the last four weeks after the Jharkhand High Court directed the administration to implement its orders passed between 2003 and 2006 against encroachment of government land.
