Raipur, Chhattisgarh – In the wake of violent clashes during an anti-mining protest in Tamnar, Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, police have arrested two men accused of assaulting a woman police constable and tearing her uniform. The incident, which occurred last week during a protest against a proposed coal block allotment, gained widespread attention after a video surfaced on social media on Thursday, sparking public outrage.
The arrested individuals are allegedly part of a group of protesters who turned violent during demonstrations against a public hearing concerning the Gare Palma Sector-1 coal block. For weeks, residents from 14 villages potentially affected by the project have been staging protests, fearing displacement and loss of livelihood. The situation escalated on December 27, 2025, when approximately 300 villagers blocked a road, disrupting traffic and leading to confrontations with law enforcement.
According to reports, the woman constable was separated from her team as the protest intensified. A disturbing video shows her on the ground, visibly distressed, while two men allegedly assaulted her. One of the accused is seen tearing her clothes while another records the incident on a mobile phone, accompanied by threats. The footage captures the constable pleading for mercy and identifying the protesters as "brothers". However, the assailants continued the assault, shouting abuses and demanding to know why she was present.
Inspector General of Police (Bilaspur range) Sanjeev Shukla has confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with authorities working to identify other individuals involved using digital evidence and statements from the arrested suspects. The accused have been booked on multiple serious charges, including attempt to murder and robbery.
The incident has drawn sharp political reactions. The Congress party shared a blurred version of the video on social media, condemning the assault as deeply disturbing and raising concerns about women's safety and the state of law and order. Senior Congress leaders have described the incident as shameful, questioning the growing public anger directed towards the police and administration.
The protests also resulted in injuries to two officials due to stone-pelting, and the torching of police vehicles and an ambulance. Protesters allegedly stormed a coal handling plant, causing damage to infrastructure, including a conveyor belt, vehicles, and office property. Authorities stated that the situation escalated after police attempted to clear the protest site, leading to further clashes.
In response to the unrest, the Raigarh district administration has initiated the process to cancel the public hearing related to the coal block allotment. The police have stated that they are using the videos as evidence to identify those involved in the violence. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
