Barkagaon villagers gherao Hazaribag collectorate over coal blocks

Hazaribag: Thousands of displaced villagers from Barkagaon block on Friday staged a massive protest against proposed coal mining projects and gheraoed the Hazaribag collectorate, opposing allocation of new coal blocks.Women joined carrying traditional weapons and placards to protect agricultural land.Protesters said, “they would not allow acquisition of fertile land for private companies under any circumstances,” objecting to Barkagaon East blocks for various companies. They submitted a memorandum, warning agitation would intensify.