Former Jharkhand MLAs Freed on Bond Following Arrest at NTPC Mine Protest
In a significant development in Hazaribag, former Barkagaon legislators Yogendra Sao and his wife Nirmala Devi, along with five other individuals, were released from Keredari police station on a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond on Friday. This release came after their arrest on Thursday for participating in a dharna that disrupted operations at NTPC's Chatti-Bariatu coal mines.
Arrest and Release Details
Ganesh Kumar, the officer-in-charge of Keredari police station, confirmed the events, stating, "Yogendra Sao, Nirmala Devi and five others were arrested and kept at the police station before being released on PR bond." The couple, who have been leading an agitation since January this year, were taken into custody by a police team led by Barkagaon subdivisional police officer Pawan Kumar. Their protest centered on allegations that the public sector unit (PSU) failed to provide adequate compensation to displaced families in Chatti-Bariatu and Keredari areas.
Background of the Agitation
The conflict escalated when, after a prolonged agitation, the district administration reopened the closed NTPC mines at these two sites using a substantial police presence. An NTPC official, speaking anonymously, revealed, "After a long agitation, the closed NTPC mines at the two sites were reopened for operations by the district administration using a large police contingent." However, shortly after work resumed on Thursday, Sao and Nirmala resumed their dharna with a group of displaced families, once again halting mining activities, leading to their arrest for obstructing NTPC's operations.
Local Reaction and Political Fallout
The arrest of the former lawmakers ignited widespread resentment among local residents. Amba Prasad, their daughter and a former Barkagaon MLA herself, who now serves as the general secretary of the Congress party, vehemently demanded their release. She criticized the police action, claiming, "the leaders were arrested by the police without holding any tripartite meeting and termed the arrests illegal, as the dharna was peaceful." This incident has highlighted ongoing tensions between the community and the PSU over displacement and compensation issues.
Economic Impact and Current Status
Sources within NTPC indicated that the agitations have resulted in collective losses estimated at Rs 11 crore since January. A spokesperson for the company reported that coal production and dispatch have recommenced under police security, with the situation remaining normal on Friday. The official stated, "The situation remained normal on Friday," suggesting a temporary resolution, though underlying grievances persist.
This case underscores the complex interplay between industrial development, local rights, and political activism in regions like Hazaribag, where disputes over land and compensation continue to fuel protests and legal actions.
