Villagers Detain Power Company Employees in Dumka Over Land Survey Dispute
In a tense incident in Dumka district, three employees of a Haryana-based power company were allegedly detained for several hours by residents of Badalpada village on Monday. The employees had arrived to conduct a land survey for an allocated coal block in the Shikaripara area, but faced immediate opposition from the local community.
Protesters Demand Gram Sabha Consent
The protesters, which included several women, claimed that the company had initiated work without conducting a gram sabha or obtaining its necessary consent. As tensions escalated, the crowd surrounded and detained the three employees, preventing them from leaving the site.
Sources indicate that company officials and staff had reached the location to begin drilling operations. However, as soon as they started operating their machinery, a large number of villagers gathered to object to the activities, leading to the confrontation.
Administrative Intervention and Release
Upon receiving information about the situation, Shikaripara circle officer Kapil Dev Thakur and the officer in-charge of the local police station, Amit Lakra, rushed to the spot. Later, Dumka Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kaushal Kumar and sub-divisional police officer Vijay Kumar Mahto also arrived at the scene, directing additional police forces to the area to manage the crowd.
The SDM stated that the employees had gone for a land survey but encountered opposition from locals due to the alleged lack of consent. "The situation was brought under control and the staff were safely released," he confirmed. The administration intervened and ensured their release early on Tuesday.
Resolution Through Dialogue
Amit Lakra noted that the matter was resolved through dialogue, and no formal case was lodged in connection with the incident. Despite this resolution, locals have threatened to continue their agitation in the future if their concerns are not addressed.
This incident follows a similar event on February 20, 2024, when trainee IAS officer Pranjal Dhandha and other government personnel were detained by villagers in the coal block area of Latakandar in Shikaripara, highlighting ongoing tensions over land use and community consent in the region.
