Uproar after ban on illegal coal theft in ECL mine, clash between two groups and stone pelting

Asansol, West Bengal An incident of violent clash has come to light between the people of Mochi Pada and Fakir Pada in Churulia Police Phadi area under Jamudiya police station of Asansol. During this clash, there was a lot of vandalism and stone pelting from both sides, which created an atmosphere of tension in the area. According to local people, the root of the dispute is illegal theft of coal from the ECL coal mine located in the area. It is being told that Churulia Police Fadi had recently stopped illegal coal theft from the mine. After this, the people of the area got divided into two groups – one group is in support of illegal coal theft, while the other group is against it. Controversy increased in the area regarding this issue and again both the parties came face to face regarding illegal extraction of coal. Within no time the dispute turned into a violent clash. Local people also allege that due to the movement of heavy vehicles in the mine area, the roads of the area have become completely dilapidated, but the mine management is not repairing the roads. The villagers had protested in the mine complex regarding this demand. Meanwhile, people from the other side started opposing the protest, after which a clash started between the two groups. The dispute escalated so much that a fight took place in front of the Trinamool Congress party office in Churulia Bazaar area. During this time, many vehicles parked there were vandalized and the party office was also damaged. As soon as information about the incident was received, police reached the spot and a large number of police forces have been deployed in the area to control the situation. At present, efforts are being made to control the situation.