Bandh halts Bokaro after protester's death in BSL stir

Everyday life in Bokaro was disrupted on Friday as locals observed a day-long bandh, a day after a protester demanding jobs in Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) died following a lathi charge by security personnel.

- Vishal Kant

RANCHI:

The protesters, led by the BSL Visthapit Apprentice Sangh, have been demanding jobs in BSL, a PSU under the Union steel ministry, for a long time.

The agitation turned violent late Thursday after the protesters allegedly tried to enter the BSL plant forcibly. The incident led to the death of Prem Mahto (23), and injury to around half a dozen others, allegedly after Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel used batons to disperse the protesters, people familiar with the matter said.

While the Bokaro district administration arrested the general manager of the human resources department of the BSL, holding him responsible for the incident, the protesters staged a 'bandh' on Friday seeking action against the CISF personnel who had hit Mahto during the lathi charge.

They also sought a permanent solution to their demand for employment, the people said.