Bokaro, June 1: Around 100 villagers blocked a state highway near Lalpania Chowk in Bokaro today, demanding immediate release of two residents whom the police claim are Maoists.
The angry villagers, who blocked the Bokaro-Lalpania-Ramgarh highway from early morning, also sought an undertaking from the police that no action would be taken against the duo.
The blockade, that continued well into the night, held up hundreds of vehicles, including trucks transporting coal from Ramgarh to the TVNL plant at Lalpania.
The police held Chetlal Mahto and Doman Mahto of Mupra village yesterday for their alleged involvement in Maoist activities in Gomia block.
SP Kuldip Dwivedi said, “Villagers are adopting pressure tactics to stop the police from doing their job.” But he assured the protesters that no action would be taken against the two if they were found to be innocent.
Sources said the police had been keeping tabs on Chetlal and Doman for several months. “They were nabbed only after the police were able to confirm their involvement in extortion attempts on behalf of the banned outfit,” said R.K Singh a policeman in Gomia.
“People must have faith in the police and see the results before taking the law in their hands,” Dwivedi added.