Balrampur, February 18: Tension gripped Hanspur village in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district after an elderly villager died following an alleged assault involving a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and revenue officials during a late-night probe into illegal bauxite mining. The incident occurred in the Kusmi police station area, where three villagers were reportedly beaten, leaving one dead and two injured.
Based on eyewitness testimonies, site inspection, inquest proceedings, and post-mortem findings, police registered a murder case against four accused. Those arrested include SDM Karun Dahariya, Vicky Singh alias Ajay Pratap Singh, Manjeet Kumar Yadav, and Sudeep Yadav. Officials clarified that Naib Tehsildar Paras Sharma, who was present during the जांच, has not been named in the FIR as he was not directly involved in the alleged assault.
The opposition Indian National Congress strongly criticized the incident, calling it a sign of “lawlessness” and accusing authorities of shielding mining mafias. Bhilai Nagar MLA Devendra Yadav alleged that villagers returning after irrigating their wheat fields were stopped and beaten by officials, claiming increasing attacks on poor and tribal communities in the region.
According to reports, the revenue team had reached Hanspur late at night to investigate suspected illegal bauxite extraction. Injured villagers claimed they were intercepted and assaulted without provocation. Following the incident, members of the tribal community and local villagers staged a road blockade protest in Kusmi, demanding strict action.
Balrampur Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Banker confirmed that the accused have been arrested and produced before the court. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the investigation is ongoing and assured that stringent action will be taken against anyone found guilty.
