Around 25 villagers of Sinduwari in Barkagaon, Hazaribagh went on an indefinite strike on Saturday for their nine demands, which ranged from jobs and compensation to measures for bringing pollution levels under the permissible limit, to be met by NTPC officials.

Agitators levelled charges against the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), which owns the Chirudih Barwadih coalmines, for felling trees on 200-acres of fertile land acquired by the company, which has affected the environment and damaged the local ecosystem.

AJSU leader Sandeep Kushawaha said their demands included compensation to raiyats, treating Gair Mazruwa land as farmland, starting a green drive in the area to maintain the ecosystem, opening a CBSE school in the area, and constructing a state-of-the-art hospital similar to RIMS, Ranchi.

Another NTPC mine in Pankri Barwadih, Barkagaon also witnessed trouble when heavy vehicle drivers and labourers supporting the mining work clashed with supporters of local MLA of Barkagaon, Amba Prasad, claiming that regular agitation in the site is resulting in halt of work and transportation of coal since July.3.

Time slots of Covid test seekers

Sub-divisional officer (SDO), Chas, Shashiprakash Singh had a review meeting with Civil Surgeon Dr Ashok Kumar Pathak in the Sadar Hospital Auditorium regarding problems faced during sample collection for Covid tests in Bokaro.

The SDO said that data management was also a problem area.

To improve the system, time slots will be given to persons undergoing sampling for Covid tests, as it was found that people from across the district are coming to the Sadar Hospital, seeking Covid testing, which has led to large gatherings in the area and an increased risk of infection.

Doctors and staff including Deputy Superintendent of Sadar Hospital Dr Renu Bharti attended the meeting.

FIRs for power thieves

Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) management is preparing to take strict action against the rise in power theft cases in its township area.

FIRs will be lodged against those found stealing electricity.

“From time to time, campaigns have been carried out to curb power theft. But now we have prepared to lodge FIR against those who steal electricity,” said chief of communication, BSL, Manikant Dhan.

MP calls out Covid testing delay

Dhanbad MP Pashupatinath Singh on Saturday targeted the state government for the delay in the process of Covid testing, claiming it has worsened the situation.

“Covid reports are coming delayed by 5 to 6 days. The delay in reports is increasing infection while victims are forced to stay without treatment until reports arrive. If the situation persists, the virus will spread to a point where community transmission begins,” the MP said, adding that no helpline has been provided by the state government, should a person be infected.

“This is also one of the reasons for the death of Covid-infected patients, as they are reaching the hospital at the last stage”, he said.

Recently a driver of an MP had died of Covid in Dhanbad.

Dhanbad MP’s driver dies of Covid

Dhanbad MP PN Singh's son's driver died on Friday night due to Covid at the Dhanbad’s Covid hospital.

Singh’s bodyguard, who returned from Bengal recently, was tested positive on July 13 following which the MP's house was sealed and sample testing of all staff was carried out, during which two drivers, including the driver of PN Singh and his son Prashant, also tested positive.

They were admitted to Dhanbad’s dedicated Covid facility on July 16, and Prashant’s driver died during treatment.

Colliery clash

Supporters of Baghmara MLA, Dhullu Mahto and former water resource minister Jaleshwar Mahto clashed near a weigh house of West Modidih Colliery of BCCL on Saturday morning.

The clash was over the supremacy over coal loading work in the colliery during which both sides resorted to stone pelting.

Four persons, including two policemen, one of whom was Angarpathra officer-in-charge Shahbir Oraon, were injured in the clash.