During a lathi charge by the CISF on demonstrators at the Bokaro Steel Plant’s headquarters on Thursday, a 23-year-old reportedly was struck on the head and died.
At least 15 individuals were hurt during the crackdown on protests calling for jobs for displaced youth groups, one of whom is in the intensive care unit. Since Thursday night, the protest has caused the city to shut down, stopping factory operations and trapping thousands of workers inside.
The deceased was identified as Prem Mahto, part of the demonstration led by the union, Visthapit Apprentice Sangh. Security guards attempted to push back demonstrators pushing through barricades near the main gate. Mahto reportedly fainted when a lathi struck his head during the altercation. He was taken to the hospital immediately, but while receiving treatment, he passed away from his wounds.
Mahto’s family will receive Rs 20 lakh as compensation, according to officials. According to Bokaro Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav, an order has been issued to arrest the chief general manager of the BSL and a three-member inquiry team has been established to look into the matter.
Hundreds of young people from Visthapit Apprentice Sangh (VAS) were formally guaranteed jobs, according to protest participant Sahdev Sao. “However, the youths are only asked to wait – they have been waiting for so many years. In 1967-68, the plant was established, acquiring 34,000 acres of our land with 20,000 employment promises,” he said. “We started demanding jobs in 2016 when we breached the canal as protest. And 52 others were arrested for seven months,” said Sao.
In 2016, the government identified 4,328 displaced adolescents to provide work, while those over 45 were promised facilities to establish stores, according to another displaced teenager who spoke on condition of anonymity. “After that, just 1,500 youths were offered apprenticeships between 2016 and 2022 in different phases. Gradually, the number of recruits in each phase was reduced,” he said.
An formal meeting between the kids and officials took place in February. On April 3, however, the youths chose to sit in protest alongside their relatives since there had been no progress.
