Ranchi, November 20 (IANS). In Latehar, Jharkhand, militants of the banned organization Jharkhand Presentation Committee (JPC) have carried out a major incident. Militants set fire to five Hiwa vehicles engaged in transporting coal in Herhanj on Tuesday night. They also beat up the drivers. There is an atmosphere of panic in the area after the incident.
The militants have carried out this incident for the sake of levy (extortion) money. The vehicles that were set on fire by the militants were going to transport coal from the DVC-run Tubed Mines. JPC has taken the responsibility of taking action by leaving a leaflet at the spot. Police have started investigating the incident.
Regarding the incident, eyewitnesses said that the highway drivers were returning towards Tubed Mines after loading coal from Kusmahi siding. At the same time, 15-20 militants surrounded him and fired fifteen to 20 rounds to create panic. After this, the highway drivers were taken out of the vehicle and the highway was set on fire. As soon as Herhanj police station received information about the matter, the station in-charge team reached the spot with force and recovered several bullet casings. The reason behind the incident is said to be levy recovery. It is noteworthy that in recent times there has been an increase in extremist incidents in the area.
Meanwhile, voting is going on for the second and last phase of assembly in Jharkhand. Till 11 o’clock in the day, 31.37 percent voters have used their franchise.
For the security of polling centers and polling parties, 585 companies of central paramilitary forces, 60 companies of JAP (Jharkhand Armed Force), besides 30 thousand personnel of district forces and home guards have been deployed. A total of 528 candidates are in the fray in this phase, the responsibility of deciding whose fate lies with a total of 1 crore 23 lakh 58 thousand 195 voters.
–IANS
SNC/AS
