Hazaribagh police arrested former Minister Yogendra Sao on Tuesday morning from his house situated in Hurhuru colony of Hazaribagh town. later he was produced before the court from where he was sent to JP Central Jail under judicial custody. His wife, Badkagaon MlA Nirmala Devi is absconding and police are trying hard to nab her. Hazaribagh DC Ravishankar Shukla and SP Bheemsen Tuti said in a joint press conference held at Suchna Bhawan Hazaribagh on Tuesday.
In a Press conference of senior officials of Hazaribagh district and police administration after the firing incident at Dadikala village of Badkagaon block of the district the administration showed some video clips and tried to negate the allegation of arrest of MlA Nirmala Devi at night. The SP said that the agitation against NTPC mining was going on since the night of 15th/16th September. Though the agitators had entered inside the prohibited area but the administration was calm because the agitation was peaceful.
The DC said that he and the officers of district administration talked with the agitators but they were adamant on their demand of stopping the mining work. “Without court order we were not in the position to order NTPC to stop mining work because the piece of land where mining work was going on has already been transferred to NTPC. Their other demand was to amend section IX of coal bearing act which can be done only by the parliament. Moreover, they were also demanding to call the CM,” Shukla said.
“On September 28 some new machines came at the site but the agitators forcibly stopped them. On the advice of administration NTPC brought them back and then repaired the alternative road. On last Friday-Saturday night NTPC moved these vehicles through that alternative road, four vehicles crossed but the agitators stopped one heavy machine and forced the driver to leave the vehicle,” he added.
“When the administration arrested MlA Nirmala Devi in the morning and the team was returning to block headquarters first at Sindwari village attempt was made to stop the convoy. Then at Dadikala the mob finally succeeded in taking the MlA with them. We used all the possible ways to control the mob but when more than two dozen government servant got injured, the decision of firing was taken,” said the DC.
Shukla further said that the mob brutally beat the ASP and CO of Badkagaon, the condition of CO is still serious. The situation there is now tense but under control. When asked about the talks that villagers are in panic and are leaving their villages the officers said that you gave the names, we will enquire it.
Meanwhile Ex-CMs Hemant Soren, Babu lal Marandi, RJD president Gautam Sagar Rana, Congress MP Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu, MlA JP Patel, and others tried to visit the area but were stopped by the administration as section 144 has been imposed there. Hemant said that his party is with the people of Badkagaon and whatever be their decision we will do accordingly. Balmuchu said that MoS Jayant Sinha was responsible for the incident and he will convey this news to Rahul Gandhi and now the central committee will interfere in it. JVM chief Babulal Marandi said, “All opposition is united and on 17th we will observe Sankalp divash at Badkagaon and on 24th October we will close the entire State.”