Dhanbad, April 27: Curfew has been imposed in Dhanbad town after police clashed with anti-encroachment protesters and fired at them in Matkoria area, leaving three dead and 22 others injured including the Superintendent of Police.
“Curfew has been imposed with immediate effect till further orders in the Dhanbad Corporation area,” Deputy Inspector General of Police (Coalbelt), Umesh Kumar Singh, told newsmen here.
“Three persons were killed in the clash and 22 others were injured including Superintendent of Police R K Dhan,” Singh said.
The DIG said the police returned the fire by the protesters during the clash.
An injured constable has been admitted to Sadar hospital while Dhan was injured when protesters hurled stones, police said.
The clash broke out when 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 a notice to vacate the area and today was the day for demolition, police said.
According to eyewitnesses, the police allegedly used water cannons and lathis before firing as protesters hurled crude bombs and fired at them.
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.
—–PTI—-