Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, March 21
Chausa, a tiny town some 120 km from here, turned into a battled field last evening as local farmers and police were logged into a pitched fight.
According to the district magistrate of Buxar, Anshul Agarwal, kisans who had been agitating to press their 11 points demands became violent when police attempted to remove them from the dharna place at the gate of a public sector power company. He claimed six policemen including the sub divisional police officer were hurt in private firings from the mob.
He alleged kisans pelted stones on the policemen. Later, forces from different police stations were summoned that swung into action to bring the situation under control.
The DIG of Shahabad range, Navin Chandra Jha arrived at Chausa and took control of the situation.
Local villagers alleged policemen damaged the CCTVs installed on their houses, forced their entry into the rooms. They alleged police assaulted the aged parents, children and did not spare even women. Local women showed the marks of injuries on different parts of their bodies. One of them was hit on head while another showed lathi marks on her thigh.
The public sector company had acquired 1050 acres of land in 2019 for construction of 1320 megawatt capacity power plant. Company had acquired land with promise to give one job in each of families whose land were acquired. Kisans have alleged compensation was not paid to them nor given employment. They had launched dharna at plant gate on September 21 last year.
Chausa is a historical place as it led to the collapse of Mughal period when Humayun was defeated by the founder of Shuri kingdom led by Shershah in 1539.
In January last year, Police van was set on fire, govt vehicles vandalised by locals as the protest against the Chausa Power Plant turned violent.
