Daijiworld Media Network – Ranchi

Ranchi, Jul 9: At least 10 people, including two police personnel, were injured after a protest over land acquisition for a national highway project turned violent in Jharkhand's Palamu district on Thursday, officials said.

The clash occurred near a forest checkpost in the Chiyanki area under the Sadar Police Station limits when officials from the local administration and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) arrived to facilitate work on the expansion of National Highway 39, which connects Palamu with Aurangabad in Bihar.

Villagers opposed the move, alleging that compensation for the acquired land had not been paid and refused to allow the demolition of their houses until they received the pending amount.

According to officials, protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel and government vehicles, injuring two police personnel, including a woman constable.

Palamu Deputy Commissioner Dilip Singh Sekhawat said the injured police personnel were admitted to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.

Police identified the injured personnel as Rajmohan Singh and Priya Kumari. Around eight villagers also sustained injuries during the clash.

The Deputy Commissioner said legal action would be initiated against those involved in the stone-pelting incident. He added that the administration would examine the villagers' claims regarding pending compensation but asserted that the highway project would proceed.

Officials also said prohibitory orders had been imposed around the construction site for Thursday and Friday, but villagers allegedly violated the restrictions by assembling at the location.