Both Sides File FIRs Over Clash At Barwaadda Thana
Key Points:
- Dumri MLA Jairam Mahto accused of choking, casteist abuse at police station
- Complainant Pradeep Kumar Rajak alleges attempt to strangle him with intent to kill
- Mahto denies charges, claims his supporter was assaulted and robbed
DHANBAD – A political row erupted after Dumri MLA Jairam Mahto was accused of barging into Barwaadda police station and assaulting a complainant. Both sides have since lodged separate FIRs over the clash, which occurred on the night of August 21.
The MLA is alleged to have entered the police station, attempted to forcibly free his supporters, and hurled casteist abuses at the complainant before trying to strangle him with intent to kill. The incident took place around 10 pm.
At the time, JLKM leader Ganesh Das had been taken into custody over allegations linked to a forged letterhead, seal and signature attributed to Mukhiya Yashoda Devi. However, tensions flared as soon as the MLA arrived at the police station, according to the complainant.
Pradeep Kumar Rajak, son of the mukhiya and the complainant in the case, said the MLA hurled abuses at him the moment he spotted him. He alleged that Mahto grabbed his throat and attempted to choke him, leaving scratch marks on his neck.
Rajak further alleged that the MLA’s associates also assaulted him, throwing punches and slaps during the confrontation. Meanwhile, Mahto has rejected the allegations levelled against him and offered a counter-version of events.
The MLA claimed that some people already present at the police station attacked him instead, and that his supporter, Sushil Mandal, was assaulted in the process. He alleged that a gold chain worth Rs 2.08 lakh and Rs 5,000 in cash were snatched from Mandal during the scuffle.
Mahto said the truth of the incident would emerge through CCTV footage and videos recorded by journalists present at the scene. He has since demanded a fair, high-level investigation into the matter.
Police have registered FIRs based on complaints from both sides and have accelerated efforts to collect CCTV footage from the site, videos shot by journalists present, and statements from witnesses. The district administration, citing the sensitivity of the case, has assured a swift, impartial and high-level probe.
Tension has persisted in the area, and political camps have intensified their rhetoric over the episode. Local residents said the matter could escalate further if the investigation is not seen to be transparent.
A clearer picture of what actually transpired at the police station is expected to emerge only after CCTV and mobile video evidence is retrieved. Until then, the political exchange of allegations between the two sides may continue, though a fair investigation under the law will form the basis of the final outcome.
Dhanbad district has witnessed heightened political tensions in recent months involving JLKM and rival groups, with confrontations at police stations occasionally becoming flashpoints for broader disputes. Political clashes involving elected representatives and law enforcement have periodically drawn scrutiny in Jharkhand, echoing concerns seen in past disputes over political confrontations and clashes between rival supporters elsewhere in the state.
