Protest against industrialisation in Chhattisgarh

RAIGARH - Hundreds of locals from Darramunda village in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh District took three senior executives of SKS Ispat and Power Limited, as hostages in protest against acquisition of their lands for a project.

The villagers blackened the faces of these officers and also made them do sit-ups.

“They are getting the agreement signed for the sale of our lands. They are the people of SKS Steel Plant. We will die, but never give our land,” said Amarnath Patel, a resident of Darramunda village.

The violent protestors held the three officials on Thursday, when they visited the village to hold talks about the proposed project.

An official of SKS Ispat and Power Limited contended that the police personnel, who were present on the spot, were mute spectators to the humiliation meted out by the villagers.

“Deliberately the police was waiting; they know if they did anything it will intensify the situation. That is why they are quiet. We have been held as hostages since nine in the morning,” said K Hariharan, General Manager, SKS Ispat and Power Limited.

The villagers later turned violent and pelted stones at the police. A policeman was reportedly injured in the incident. (ANI)