2 home guards hurt as squatters resist eviction drive near airport

Bokaro: Two home guards were injured after locals pelted stones to block an anti-encroachment drive being carried out by a contingent from Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) close to the boundary of Bokaro airport in Sector 12-A on Saturday.

Home guards Akram Ansari and Bablu Kumar were admitted to Bokaro General Hospital for treatment. The BSL management lodged a complaint with Sector 12 police station. However, an FIR was yet to be registered till the evening.

Eviction drive is underway to remove illegal settlements near the airport premises. The move is aimed at clearing the area to enable the construction of a boundary wall to tighten airport security. Officials said an eviction order had already been passed through the BSL estate court, and repeated notices had been served to residents. Announcements through public address systems were also made urging the encroachers to vacate the land.

The situation turned violent when some people, including girls and women, began pelting stones at the security personnel engaged in the drive. Several members of the team reportedly suffered minor injuries in the chaos. BSL spokesperson Manikant Dhan said, “The security team was attacked while attempting to remove encroachments near the airport boundary wall area.”

Residents, however, alleged excesses. A woman said, “The security team came and started smashing and damaging our roofs. We pleaded with them to leave us, but they were not listening. Where will we go now?”

Police said they were informed immediately after the incident and further action would follow after the FIR is registered.