Arson in the under-construction JK laxmi Cement Plant at Malpuri Khurd took a new turn on Saturday as the officer investigating the incident claimed to have found a large quantity of jerry cans filled with kerosene, diesel-filled spray guns, firecrackers, two hand bombs and nearly 500 long-size nails generally used by Maoist insurgents to puncture the tyres of vehicles used by security forces pointing towards active involvement of rebels with the villagers who probably staged such an organised violent protest against the management of an industrial unit probably first time in the State.
Meanwhile, after release of 52 persons, villagers gheraoing Nandini thana and shouting slogans against the police throughout the day returned to their homes in the evening even as the local court at Durg sent 36 out of 37 arrested on judicial remand and one Virendra Kurre, who allegedly led the protest, to three-day police remand on Saturday.
Meanwhile, after the arson a large number of security forces have been deployed at the site of the factory even as work at the factory has come to a grinding halt as factory management was not in a position to say how and when the work will start again as burnt machines and vehicles of the factory stood in silence as the testimony of violence perpetrated by the protesters.
Notably, on April 3 night, villagers attacked the JK laxmi Cement Plant coming up at Malpuri Khurd, nearly 30 km away from Bhilai in Durg district alleging discrimination against them by factory management and non-fulfilment of rehabilitation promises made to the affected people. Protesters allegedly burnt some machines and a number of vehicles in the attack taking both State administration and factory management by surprise. Properties worth about Rs 60 crore were allegedly damaged in the arson even as police arrested nearly 100 protesters including women and children for attacking the factory.
The police have registered cases of violence, arson, obstruction in Government work, loot and murderous attack on police against the protesters on the complaints of 8 witnesses.