Tragic incident unfolds during road construction-related eviction in Darid Panchayat
A 68-year-old woman’s self-immolation attempt during an eviction drive ends in tragedy.
BOKARO – An elderly woman tragically died after setting herself on fire during an eviction drive in Bokaro district’s Petarwar block.
The incident occurred when police and NHAI officials arrived to remove encroachments for a road project.
The woman locked herself in a room of the Anand Marg Institute-run school and set herself ablaze.
Local police, with the help of residents, broke down the door to rescue her.
The victim was rushed to Petarwar Community Health Center but was declared dead by doctors.
The land in question was earmarked for the Ranchi-Bokaro four-lane road construction under the Bharatmala Project.
A compensation of 4 crore rupees had been allocated for the land acquisition.
Disputes between the institution and land occupants had delayed the compensation disbursement and road construction.
NHAI officials, accompanied by local administration, had gone to negotiate with the occupants when the incident occurred.
Bermo SDM Ashok Kumar stated that the administration had been trying to resolve the compensation issue for two years.
He dismissed allegations against the administration as baseless, suggesting the woman’s action was to create pressure.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
