Jharkhand: Palamu police invoke National Highways Act, BNS sections against rioters after NH-39 violence
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, July 11: Palamu police have invoked Section 8(b) of the National Highways Act, along with multiple provisions…
Dismantling drive on NH-39 at Chiyanki on Thursday.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, July 11: Palamu police have invoked Section 8(b) of the National Highways Act, along with multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), against 24 named accused and more than 100 unidentified persons in connection with the violence and disruption during the eviction drive on an 800-metre stretch of NH-39 at Chiyanki.
According to police sources, the accused have been booked under nearly a dozen sections of the BNS, including charges of attempt to murder, assaulting a public servant to deter them from performing official duty, unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint of a public servant, and other related offences.
The FIR was registered at Sadar police station on July 9 on the basis of a written complaint filed by the Sadar Circle Officer (CO).
Section 8(b) of the National Highways Act criminalises intentional damage to or obstruction of a national highway. Stubborn protests and blockades on a national highway are punishable under this provision.
Police sources said the mob had virtually taken control of a portion of NH-39, severely disrupting traffic and transportation.
While the administration had anticipated some resistance during the eviction drive, officials said they did not expect the situation to escalate into a violent stone-pelting attack on the police.
Prohibitory Orders Were Already in Force
As a preventive measure, the Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) on July 8, a day before the incident.
Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat had also directed the magistracy and police to remain vigilant during the eviction drive on the affected stretch of NH-39.
According to sources, the Deputy Commissioner had instructed officials to arrange tear gas shells and a water cannon. If a water cannon was unavailable, he had directed that a fire tender with a capacity of at least 4,000 litres be kept ready.
However, police sources said the force faced considerable difficulty in controlling the mob as no water cannon was available at the time.
Officials maintained that the police exercised restraint despite repeated provocation and refusal by protesters to vacate houses, structures and the designated area.
Sources further said Superintendent of Police Kapil Chaudhary has directed the Sadar police, under whose jurisdiction Chiyanki falls, to take strict action against those responsible for the violence.
JAP Jawan Injured in Stone-Pelting
The violence on Thursday left a JAP jawan, Raj Mohan Singh, with a head injury. He was admitted to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), Daltonganj, and is reported to be in stable condition, according to hospital sources.
Police said the mob hurled stones and broken bricks of varying sizes, describing them as “flying missiles.”
Police Warn of Strict Action
Sadar SDPO Rajesh Yadav said, “The violence was unprovoked and unacceptable. Our SP has taken serious note of it. No offender can escape the law.”
Referring to the restrictions already in place, Yadav said, “Prohibitory orders had already been promulgated for the 800-metre stretch.”
He added, “Every resident of the area was aware of the prohibitory orders. Nevertheless, there was a determined and unlawful assembly of people who chose to take the law into their own hands.”
Yadav confirmed that 24 people have been named in the FIR but declined to disclose their identities.
Land Disputes Delaying Compensation
Additional Collector Kundan Kumar said 69 affected landowners are involved in various legal disputes, including title and partition suits, pending before the Land Acquisition (LA) Court.
According to him, many of these cases have been prolonged by the parties themselves, delaying resolution.
He said compensation cannot be paid for land that remains under litigation, including title and partition disputes.
Officials described the 800-metre stretch as a major bottleneck for both the district administration and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Sources also claimed that some landowners had already received compensation but continued to occupy their properties. Officials alleged that this reflected an intention to delay the project.
Administrative sources said there are 20 affected landowners in the first 250 metres, 15 in the next 250 metres, and 34 in the remaining stretch, making a total of 69 oustees.
NHAI has earmarked around ₹130 crore for compensation, which will be released once pending title and partition disputes are resolved.
Police sources further alleged that the violence was orchestrated by individuals who were neither directly affected by the land acquisition nor had any legitimate stake in the matter, but sought to prolong the issue for personal gain.
