Violence and arson broke out in Satgawan block, Koderma district on Thursday.

A 22-year old man, identified as Rajkumar a.k.a Raja, met with an accident on Tuesday evening. His bike was hit by a tractor on the Gaya-Deoghar road near Tamolia bridge. Raja was a resident of Khutta village under Satgawan block, located 75 km away from Koderma district headquarters.

Enraged by the death, residents from the area went on a rampage, gutting properties, and pelting stones at security forces.

Raja was rushed immediately to Satgawan health centre and then to Geeta Nursing Home after the accident, but both medical facilities denied treatment citing lack of facilities.

His relatives then moved him to Koderma Sadar Hospital, almost 75 km away, but he succumbed to his injuries.

Agitators block road. Vishvendu Jaipuriar

Villagers also blocked a road in the area on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, demanding action against doctors.

Villagers, amounting to around 500 in number, started assembling outside Raja’s house on Basodih-Gawa road around 8 AM on Thursday morning. .They raised slogans demanding action against those responsible, including a government health centre in-charge, Dr Chandramohan Prasad. Police officials tried to contain them, but failed. Demands for compensation were also raised by the crowd.

Later, they marched towards Basodih Bazar reaching Marchoi Mor, halting traffic for half an hour. At around 1 in the afternoon, agitators reached Nasargunj area on Koderma-Satgawan road under Satgawan police station where Geeta nursing home is situated.

The angry mob entered the nursing home and took out medical equipment like X-ray and ultrasound machines, CCTVs, and furniture, setting them on fire. When CRPF jawans tried to intervene, they started pelting stones. The jawans opened lathicharge soon after. The windscreen of a CRPF van was also damaged.

Angry mob set medical equipment on fire. Vishvendu Jaipuriar

Led by Raja's father Bhagirath Vishwakarma, a demand was made for better health facilities in the area. Vishwakarma said he lost his only child due to poor medical facilities and negligence of doctors. “I don't want any such casualty in this area, and hence demand better medical facilities,” Vishwakarma said.

Senior administrative and police officials led by Koderma superintendent of police Ehtesham Waquarib brought the situation under control.

A large consignment of policemen are camping in the area. Officer-in-charge of Satgawan police station, Arvind Kumar, said villagers had called off their agitation after being promised definitive action. “We are keeping a close eye”, he added.