Conflict of interest: Friction erupts in Deocha-Pachami project area

Tension erupted in areas of the proposed Deocha-Pachami coal mine on Sunday evening, prompted by a “hostage-like” situation precipitated by the meeting of an anti-mine platform.

According to sources, a platform named Birbhum Jamee, Jeebon, Jeebika O Prakriti Bachao Mahasabha held a meeting in Dewanganj village on Sunday afternoon to oppose the coal mine.

Shortly after the meeting, a group allegedly aligned to Trinamul detained participants, including a few from Calcutta, near Deocha More area on NH14. Then, group of youths who organised the anti-coal mine meeting allegedly took a local Trinamul leader and his aide in “custody”.

In the evening, police rescued a few members and sympathisers of the platform and brought them to Mohammedbazar police station.