Man killed in police firing

A 50-year-old villager was today killed and four others were injured in police firing at Pagar village under Keredari police station in Hazaribagh district, police said.
The police fired eight rounds to control the villagers who were protesting against construction work of a field hostel of the NTPC as the PSU allegedly did not pay them a promised compensation.
While Keshar Mahto was killed on the spot, the four injured were taken to Hazaribag Sadar Hospital. One of them was later shifted to a hospital in Ranchi, sources said.
Following the firing, angry local people brought the body of Mahto to Keredari block office and blocked Keredari- Barkagaon road at several points.

Top district and police officials reached the spot, talked to villagers and brought the situation under control, the sources said.
Village mukhiya Jhar Lal Mahto alleged that when villagers were protesting against the construction work, the contractor's men attacked them and they only retaliated.

After the police came, they lathicharged the villagers who also brickbatted the men in uniform, the mukhiya said and demanded arrest of the erring policemen, the contractor and his men.
He also demanded payment of compensation to the family of the deceased and government job to a family member.
When contacted, an NTPC spokesman said the villagers should have placed their demand directly the NTPC instead of talking to contractors.