Woman Constable Assaulted During Anti-Mining Protest in Chhattisgarh, Two Arrested

RAIGARH (CHHATTISGARH) | January 3, 2026 A disturbing incident during an anti-mining protest in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district has sparked widespread outrage after a video surfaced showing an on-duty woman constable being assaulted and having her clothes torn by members of a mob. The violence occurred on December 27, 2025, in the Tamnar block, where residents from 14 villages were protesting against a coal mining project when the situation escalated. According to police, the woman constable was left isolated in a field amid the chaos and was attacked by protesters. The video, which began circulating on social media on January 1, shows her lying on the ground, crying and pleading for mercy as two men tear her clothes and question her presence at the protest site. She is heard repeatedly requesting to be let go, saying she had not harmed anyone. One of the men is seen filming the assault while another threatens her. Police said two local residents have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, and further arrests are likely as more individuals are being identified using digital evidence. The accused have been booked on charges including molestation, attempt to murder, loot, and other serious offences. Officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The violence broke out near Libra village, where locals have been protesting since December 12 against the public hearing conducted for the proposed Gare Pelma Sector-I coal block allotted to Jindal Power Limited. Protesters fear loss of livelihood, displacement, and environmental damage due to mining activities. During the clashes, several police personnel were injured, government vehicles were set on fire, and property at a coal handling plant was vandalised. Political reactions followed after a blurred version of the video was shared online by the All India Mahila Congress, which questioned women’s safety and law and order in the State. Congress leaders described the incident as horrifying and said it reflected growing public anger and erosion of trust in the system. The Raigarh administration later announced that it had initiated the process to cancel the public hearing for the mining project following the unrest. Video of Woman Constable Assaulted During Chhattisgarh Mine Protest Sparks Outrage, Two Held A shocking incident during an anti-mining protest in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district has sparked widespread anger after a video emerged showing an on-duty woman police constable being assaulted and having her clothes torn by members of a mob. The incident took place on December 27, 2025, in the Tamnar block, where residents from 14 villages were protesting against a proposed coal mining project. Police said the constable was left alone in a field amid the chaos and was attacked by protesters. The video, which began circulating on social media on January 1, shows her lying on the ground, crying and pleading for mercy as two men assault her and question her presence at the protest site. She is heard repeatedly requesting to be let go, stating that she had not harmed anyone. One of the accused is seen recording the incident while another threatens her. Authorities confirmed that two local residents have been arrested so far and that efforts are underway to identify others involved using digital and forensic evidence. The accused have been booked on multiple charges, including molestation, attempt to murder, loot, and other serious offences. Senior police officials said further investigation is ongoing. The violence erupted near Libra village, where locals have been agitating since December 12 against a public hearing held for the Gare Pelma Sector-I coal block allotted to Jindal Power Limited. Protesters have cited fears of displacement, loss of livelihood, and environmental damage. During the clashes, several police personnel were injured, government vehicles were set on fire, and a coal handling plant was vandalised. Political reactions followed after a blurred version of the video was shared online by the All India Mahila Congress, which raised concerns over women’s safety and law and order in the State. Congress leaders described the incident as deeply disturbing and said it reflected rising public anger and declining trust in the administration. The Raigarh district administration later announced that it had begun the process of cancelling the public hearing for the mining project following the unrest.