Sijua (Dhanbad), Jan. 21: Toxic fumes coming out of an abandoned mine in Tetulmuri village has sparked panic among the residents and triggered a fresh war of words between the Bharat Coking Coal Limited management and the political parties.

The fumes have been billowing out of seam 12/11 for the last 2-3 days. This morning, residents were forced to move out of their houses after the emission thickened. Agitated villagers led by JMM leader Hari Prasad Mahato blocked the roads demanding immediate rescue operations by the BCCL.

The blockade was removed after the local administration intervened and the BCCL management promised prompt action. Dodgers and payloaders were pressed into service to choke the toxic gases. The rescue operations were on till this evening. “The population of this locality is around 10,000. Almost all had participated in the road blockade. Emanation of toxic fumes and accidents caused by land subsidence are perennial problems in this locality. But the BCCL management has done nothing,” alleged state Yuva Samata vice-president Udai Pratap Singh. The BCCL denied the allegations. “Such charges are baseless. When we sent in our payloaders and dodgers, they were stopped by the villagers. Our officers were chased away. They allowed us to do our job only after the local police arrived,” said BCCL Area V general manager S.P. Singh.

1 arrested: Manul Ansari, from Urgutu village under Pithoria police station was arrested today, reports our correspondent. He was wanted in four cases lodged with the Pithoria and Burmu police stations. Ansari was involved in a number of criminal activities.