Village Clash Over Chhattisgarh Coal Mine Expansion Leaves Injuries, Tensions High

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Raipur, India - A violent confrontation between villagers and security forces in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district has left several people injured, including police personnel. The clash erupted over the expansion of a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) coal mine in Parsodi Kala, where residents have been opposing the project despite land acquisition being completed in 2016. According to local officials, some villagers had accepted compensation at the time of land acquisition, while others refused and continued to protest mining activities. Leelavati, one of the protesters, expressed concerns about the impact of the project on her community, saying, 'We love the soil of our village and will not give it up.' Administrative officials and police teams attempted to persuade the villagers to accept the project, citing the completion of the land acquisition process and SECL's authorization to carry out operations. However, the protest turned violent, with villagers pelting stones at police personnel. In response, police used a lathi-charge to control the situation. Additional forces have been deployed to the area, and efforts are underway to calm the situation and persuade villagers not to obstruct mining operations. SECL has resumed mining operations, citing the deployment of additional police force and the dispersal of the protest mob. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local communities and mining companies in Chhattisgarh, where several projects have been met with resistance from villagers concerned about the impact on their livelihoods and the environment. The situation remains tense, with villagers and authorities working to resolve the issue peacefully.