Two groups from Dhanbad’s Lodna area were engaged in a violent clash over the shifting of the mine water supply pipeline during which more than six people were injured.

A team from Lodna police station and Alkakdiha police outpost reached the site led by officer-in-charge of Lodna police station Sushil Singh brought the situation under control and began an investigation.

The injured fled the site fearing police action. They are undergoing treatment at local private clinics.

The clash broke out at around 11 am when the residents of different localities of Lodna area including Islampur, Chaar number niche dhaura, Chaar Number upar dhauda, Shiv Mandir Muhalla were shifting a 6 inch water mine pit water supply pipeline from one side of the road to another side along with BCCL workers for ensuring uninterrupted water supply in their area.

The residents of Masjid Patti locality on the other hand, apprehending that the shifting of the pipeline will obstruct the water supply in their locality, protested against the move which led to a verbal duel and later culminated into a violent clash during which both sides attacked each other.

They pelted stones at each other and beat each other with lathi sticks and iron rods.

Md Naushad, a resident of Islampur locality said, “A 6 inch diameter water supply pipeline that connects 1 number tank with the tank of our locality has developed several illegal water connection Masjid patti locality leading to lack of proper water supply.”

“We carried out protests on several occasions after which the BCCL administration agreed to shift the pipeline to other location to prevent illegal connection and today the shifting of pipeline was carried out by BCCL during which the residents of Masjid Patti led by one Imtiyaz Khan, Munna Ansari, Naim Ansari etc attack us due to which several persons of our locality were injured,” said Nausha.

Refuting the charges, Imtiyaz Ansari of Masjid Patti locality said, “The residents of Islampur and adjoining localities were carrying out illegal shifting of water supply pipeline today which will affect our water supply and when we protested they attacked us.”

Officer in Charge of Lodna, Sushil Singh said, “As the issue is related to BCCL we have called the BCCL local officers of Lodna area and the dispute will be resolved through mutual discussion between both under the mediation of police and BCCL officers.”