According to police officials, since December 11, villagers from more than 30 villages had been sitting on a dharna (sit-in protest) at Libra Chowk. They were opposing the public hearing for Jindal Company’s proposed coal mine. Along with the dharna, they had also imposed an economic blockade, due to which coal-carrying vehicles heading from the Odisha border through Tamnar to JPL had been stranded for the past 15 days.

On Saturday morning around 10:30 AM, police took approximately 60 people into custody from the protest site and sent them to Tamnar police station. Meanwhile, word spread that the tents would also be removed after the arrests. At the same time, during the process of clearing the stranded vehicles from the blockade, an elderly man was run over by a trailer, crushing both his legs. As soon as the rumor of his death spread, a large number of villagers gathered at the spot.

As the situation deteriorated, clashes broke out between police and protesters. Despite police using mild force, the crowd started pelting stones and set three vehicles on fire. Several police personnel, including the SDOP and TI, as well as some villagers, were injured in the incident.

Eyewitnesses said that during the clash, some women allegedly assaulted Tamnar TI Kamla Pusam, causing her to fall unconscious. Local MLA Vidyavati Sidar took her to the hospital.

Police stated that additional forces have been called from neighboring districts to bring the situation under control. Tension continues in the affected villages, and efforts are underway for investigation and restoration of peace.