SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 26: An FIR has been lodged against Dumri MLA Jairam Mahto of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) and 40 others at Chandrapura police station in Bokaro district.
The charges include extortion, illegal occupation of government property, and obstructing government work. The complaint was filed by the security officer of the Dhori Colliery, under Central Coalfields Limited (CCL).
The FIR specifically names seven individuals: Jairam Mahto, Sandip Mahto, Tilak Mahto, Nitesh, Sanjit Kumar, Rahul Paswan, and Binod Chouhan, as the prime accused.
Late-Night Standoff Over Quarter Encroachment
Jairam Mahto and his supporters allegedly seized a CCL quarter in the Central Colony of Dhori Colliery. Around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, police and CISF personnel arrived at the site to remove the encroachment. Mahto reportedly obstructed the officials, allegedly abused a magistrate, and refused to vacate the property.
The quarter, officially allotted to a CCL employee, was forcibly captured by Mahto’s supporters earlier that day, with reports of the lock being broken to gain access.
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MLA and Supporters Resist Eviction
By Thursday evening, Mahto, a resident of the Topchachi block in Dhanbad district, had mobilized around 1,500 supporters at the site. They camped there to prevent police from carrying out the eviction. The MLA defended his actions, claiming that he was entitled to a quarter for public service purposes.
A CCL official clarified that Mahto had previously applied for the quarter’s allotment through the Dhori Area management. However, his supporters forcibly occupied the property before the application could be processed.
Viral Video Escalates Tensions
A video circulating on social media shows Jairam Mahto engaged in a heated exchange with police officials. In the video, Mahto is heard stating that he “keeps his MLA membership in his pocket” and daring the police to “shoot him.” He expressed anger over the eviction attempt conducted at 3 a.m., accusing authorities of singling him out unfairly.
“Why aren’t the police evacuating quarters forcibly occupied by Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary (AJSU) and the family of late MLA Jagarnath Mahto (JMM)?” Mahto argued. “I am the Dumri MLA and have the right to a quarter for public service,” he added.
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Disputed Allotment of CCL Quarters
The controversy has been further complicated by the fact that the disputed quarter is located in the Bermo Dhori Colliery area, which does not fall within the Dumri Assembly constituency, which Mahto represents.
Adding to the dispute, quarters occupied by other political figures, such as Choudhary and the late Jagarnath Mahto’s family, were reportedly used as party offices, raising questions about consistent enforcement of the rules.