A prolonged sit-in demonstration against a coal mining venture in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district erupted into severe violence on Saturday, December 28, 2025, leaving multiple police personnel wounded and several vehicles set ablaze. The confrontation occurred at the Jindal Coal Handling Plant (CHP) chowk in Libra village within the Tamnar block.
Road Blockade and Escalation of Tensions
According to an official statement from the district administration, the unrest has its roots in a public hearing conducted for the project on December 8 at Dhaurabhatha. In response, residents from 14 villages affected by the Gare Pelma Sector-I coal block initiated a road blockade and sit-in protest at the CHP chowk on December 12. The protest continued for over two weeks before the situation deteriorated dramatically.
Police authorities reported that tensions flared when they attempted to clear the obstructed road. The gathering, which initially consisted of about 300 people, rapidly swelled to an estimated 1,000 individuals and turned hostile. The mob began pelting stones and attacking police officials.
Violence, Arson, and Conflicting Accounts
The violence resulted in injuries to eight police officers, including Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Anil Vishwakarma, a local Station House Officer (SHO), and a constable. A police officer described a scene of rampage, stating the crowd set fire to a police bus, a jeep, and an ambulance. Several policemen were assaulted with sticks and stones.
The mob then stormed the premises of the Jindal Coal Handling Plant. Inside, they set a conveyor belt, two tractors, and other vehicles on fire while also vandalizing office property.
Raigarh Collector Mayank Chaturvedi attributed the violence to "antisocial elements" who provoked the crowd. He explained that police officers retreated for their safety as they had no orders to retaliate. Subsequent attempts at dialogue were met with renewed aggression and stone-pelting from the crowd, which he described as "leaderless." Some of the injured were shifted to Raigarh for medical treatment.
However, local protesters presented a different version of events. They accused the police of initiating force with a lathi charge, particularly targeting women who were sitting on the road to block mining vehicles. One protester claimed an elderly woman sustained a hand injury when a police officer pulled her up, an act that allegedly caused the crowd to swell and become uncontrollable.
Aftermath and Ongoing Situation
The incident highlights the deep-seated tensions surrounding industrial and mining projects in the region. The district administration and police indicated that efforts to establish communication with the villagers are ongoing in an attempt to restore calm and address the underlying grievances. The situation in the area remains tense following the day's violent clashes.
