At least eight people, including five cops, were injured in a clash in Bokaro Steel City under City police station and Chas police station on Friday afternoon.
“The injured were rushed to the local hospital where they were released after providing first aid,” polices said.
According to police, the violence erupted around 2.30pm over an illegal electricity connection and went on for close to 3 hours.
“Clash erupted when Bokaro Steel Plant management rushed to disconnect the illegal power connections taken by the residents of Bharra Basti, adjacent to the Steel Plant’s colony area”, said an eyewitness.
The plant management had already given them ultimatum to disconnect the illegal connection but the residents did not pay any heed into it. Finally with the help of force special drive was enforced.
Irked over the drive a mob of the local residents started pelting stones at the cops resulted in injuring five policemen. DSP Ajay Kumar and Arvind Kumar were present on the spot. Clash continued for more than three hours; later cops fired tear gas to control the violent mob.
Besides Bharra Basti there are many others slums and basties which are lit up with BSl’s power from hook lines. Drives (to disconnect the illegal power connection) were also conducted in Sector 5, Dundibad and Birsa Vikash and other basties. A case has been filed at the local police station, police said.