Raipur: The state government has ordered a probe and initiated the cancellation process of a public hearing related to allotment of a coal mining project in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district. The development comes a day after protest demanding scrapping of the public hearing conducted earlier this month turned violent in Tamnar area of Raigarh.
In a letter to the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Raigarh collector Mayank Chaturvedi has requested that no further necessary action be taken at present on the public hearing conducted in the second week of this month at Daurabhatha village in connection with proposed Gare Pelma sector-1 coal block.
Villagers from the nearby region was protesting against the public hearing conducted related to the said block at CHP chowk Libra since December 12. The protest however turned violent on Saturday with vandalization in the coal handling plant of Jindal power. The mob also torched multiples vehicles and hurled stones leading to injuries to several police personnel including officials.
Reacting to the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday, December 28 said that an inquiry would be conducted into the matter and strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
Earlier on Saturday, officials informed that the villagers have been peacefully protesting and the administration was also taking care of all their needs. Some anti-social elements however instigated the violence at around 3PM leading to injuries to a few security personnel.
The officials also held discussions with representatives of the protesting villagers on Sunday, informing them that the government has initiated action as per suggestion received by them and further action will be ensured on all points as per the government’s guidelines.
The officials also appealed to the villagers to maintain peace assuring that the administration respects their demand and acting accordingly.
