Gunfire Erupts at Bolani STP Construction Site Amid Contractor Dispute, Panic Grips Township
BARBIL: Tension escalated into violence at the under-construction Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Shanti Nagar of Bolani township, under the Nationalised Enterprise SAIL, when a financial dispute between two contractor groups turned into a gunfire incident on Sunday. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the atmosphere in the area remains tense and fearful.
According to sources, the STP project was originally awarded to Meco Technology Pvt. Ltd., based in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
The company later subcontracted the work to Bijendranath Panda, a contractor from Rengali. Disagreements over payment had been brewing between the two parties for some time.
Officials from Meco Technology reportedly arrived at the site and attempted to halt construction by locking up equipment. Heated arguments broke out, and the situation quickly turned violent.
Allegedly, one of the private security personnel accompanying the Meco officials fired a rifle shot. The bullet struck the ground, narrowly avoiding a potentially fatal outcome.
Upon receiving information, Bolani Police Station IIC Laba Boda rushed to the spot with his team and initiated an investigation.
Based on a complaint filed by Panda’s associates, police detained four Meco officials named Umesh Devangan, Mukesh Dubey, Lab Kumar Singh, and Umesh Ram, along with two private security guards, Akhilesh Shukla and Manoj Shukla.
Authorities seized a .315 bore rifle, a pistol, live cartridges, and other weapon-related materials from the security personnel. All six accused have been arrested under multiple sections and produced before the court.
The incident has triggered widespread fear in Bolani, with locals voicing serious concerns about safety and demanding stricter enforcement of law and order in the township.
