Police personnel warn of statewide agitation
Surendra Soren
Ranchi
The Jharkhand Police Association has demanded the arrest of Dumri MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato and other accused in connection with the alleged intimidation and misconduct involving the Barwadda police station in Dhanbad, warning of a statewide agitation and fast if arrests are not made within five days.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, association office-bearers alleged that Mahato and his supporters abused and threatened Barwadda police station in-charge Ravi Kumar and allegedly created a ruckus inside the police station. The association said it would launch a statewide protest if its demand was not met within the stipulated period.
According to a letter issued by the association’s Dhanbad branch on August 25, Mahato allegedly contacted the station in-charge through a WhatsApp call on the night of August 21 and used abusive language while threatening him with professional and personal consequences.
The association further alleged that the MLA later reached Barwadda police station with his supporters. During the incident, Mahato and his supporters allegedly used abusive language inside the station-in-charge’s office, disrupted items kept on the table and damaged his nameplate.
On the basis of the station-in-charge’s complaint, Barwadda police station case No. 146/2026 was registered on August 22 under Sections 221, 224, 132, 351(2), 352 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the MLA, 10 named accused and around 40-50 unidentified persons.
The Police Association said Ravi Kumar had approached the federation seeking action against what it described as an “inhuman act” and called for measures to protect the dignity and security of police personnel.
The association claimed that police personnel in Dhanbad and across Jharkhand were angry over the incident. Its Dhanbad branch has reportedly demanded that members wear black badges in protest and has also sought consideration of an indefinite withdrawal from duty if the issue is not addressed.
The association further alleged that Mahato has repeatedly used objectionable language against police personnel through social media and the press. It said the alleged threat to “teach a lesson” when the officer was off duty had raised concerns about the safety of the station in-charge and other police personnel.
The association has urged senior authorities to complete all legal procedures and ensure the arrest of Mahato and the other accused within five days.
It warned that failure to act within the deadline would prompt the association to mobilise its branches and members across the state for a wider agitation.
The association said its stand was aimed at protecting the welfare, dignity and professional honour of police personnel, and that it would continue to pursue the matter through organisational and legal channels.
