A woman police constable was stripped and assaulted during an anti-mining protest that turned violent in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district on December 27. A video of the attack surfaced on social media days later, sparking widespread outrage. Police have arrested two men in connection with the incident.
The assault occurred when over a thousand villagers from 14 villages in Tamnar block clashed with police. The protesters were demonstrating against a proposed coal mining project by Jindal Power Limited. The mob torched vehicles, pelted stones, and damaged property. Police were outnumbered and forced to retreat, leaving the woman constable behind.
What did viral video show?
Residents have been protesting since December 12 against a public hearing held on December 8 regarding the JPL coal mine Sector-1 coal block. Villagers made the Coal Handling Plant chowk in Libra village their protest site, blocking roads and stopping mining vehicles from passing through.
The video shows the constable on the ground, pleading with two men who were tearing her clothes. One man is heard saying, “Tear her clothes. Why did you come here? Should I hit you with my slipper?” The constable folded her hands and begged, “Brother, please let me go. I will not do anything. I did not hit anyone.” She told them she was only doing her duty.
Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Markam confirmed that two men have been arrested. The video, which was recorded by the protesters themselves, shows one man filming with one hand while pulling at the constable’s clothes with the other. He then picked up his sandal and threatened to beat her.
Why are villagers blocking coal mine?
The violence erupted on December 27 around 2:30 PM when nearly 1,000 villagers broke through police barricades. Raigarh Collector Mayank Chaturvedi said the protest had been peaceful for 15 days until some individuals allegedly instigated the crowd. “Police personnel were forced to retreat initially to save their lives,” Chaturvedi said.
Tamnar police station in-charge Kamala Pusham was kicked by women protesters and fell unconscious. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Anil Vishwakarma and several other officers were injured. Protesters set fire to a police bus, jeep, and ambulance. They then moved to Jindal’s coal handling plant, where they burned conveyor belts, tractors, and vandalized the office.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai promised action. “The incident would be investigated thoroughly,” he said. “Strict action would be taken against those found responsible for attacking police personnel and damaging public property.”
Bilaspur Range Inspector General of Police Sanjeev Shukla and the Bilaspur Commissioner reached Tamnar to assess the situation. Additional police forces have been deployed, and the area around Jindal Fortis Hospital has been converted into a security zone.
On Sunday, the 17th day of the protest, villagers continued their sit-in. They cut trees and placed them across Libra Road to block movement. Tension remains high in the area as authorities work to identify those involved in the violence.
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