Four persons were killed and several others were injured when personnel from CISF opened fire on a group of alleged coal smugglers around midnight of Saturday at Benidih railway siding in Baghmara area of Dhanbad district.
While four persons died on spot several others sustained bullet injuries out of which two were admitted to SNMCH by CISF in critical condition. The two have been shifted to Ranchi for specialized treatment. Those who were killed in the incident are claimed to be Preetam Chouhan, Sajjad Ansari, Attaullah Ansari and Surag Chouhan.
A police official said both the injured identified as Badal Rawani and Ramesh Ram were first admitted at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) where doctors referred them to Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) Ranchi.
Half a dozen bikes were also seized on the spot left by the coal thieves after CISF Action. Superintendent of police ( Rural ) Reeshma Ramesan admitted that four coal thieves were killed and two injured in the firing of CISF.
CISF DIGVinay Kajla in a press communiqué has confirmed death of four persons. The communiqué also said that CISF had to open fire as the mob of coal smugglers attacked on the CISF QRT that was on patrolling duty of the siding. The officer on duty was dragged out of vehicle and mob opened fire on team due to which the vehicle too was damaged.
The DIG has confirmed the death of four on spot, however the district administration was not confirming the numbers of those dead in firing till late on Sunday afternoon.
Talking to the media the DIG said, those killed were attempting to snatch arms of the QRT that was deployed to prevent coal smuggling. He expressed deep sympathy towards those who died in this incident.
SDM PK Tiwary and DSP Amar Kumar Pandey reached on spot on Sunday after the incident but these two too evaded the media question on numbers of those dead in the firing . All officers said the entire issue is under probe and soon full details would be shared with the media. Over two dozen motorcycles also have been seized by police after the incident. Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.