Bokaro: The district administration on Sunday imposed prohibitory orders within 200 metres of Bokaro Steel Plant’s main gate after displaced persons demanding jobs blocked the plant’s entry points and disrupted operations.Chas sub-divisional magistrate Pranjal Dhanda issued the order under Section 163(1) of BNSS. It came into effect at 5 am on Sunday and will remain in force until further orders.The move followed blockades by members of the Visthapit Apprentice Sangh and other organisations at the main gate and other entry points. The administration said the protest obstructed the movement of employees, officers, contractual workers and essential services, affected industrial activity and created a law-and-order situation.The order prohibits the assembly of five or more people within the restricted area. Carrying firearms, sticks, spears, swords, bows and arrows, digging implements or other weapons has also been barred. Processions, rallies, meetings, sit-ins and demonstrations involving weapons, as well as any activity likely to disrupt industrial operations or public movement, are prohibited.Magistrates and police officers have been directed to enforce the restrictions and take legal action to keep movement through the main gate orderly. Unauthorised entry into or movement within the restricted zone has been prohibited, except for magistrates, police officers and security personnel.The administration said peaceful and orderly protests could continue at Two Tank Garden, the designated protest site, and urged the organisations not to block the plant gates.Hundreds of displaced persons had blocked the plant’s gates seeking regular jobs, reinstatement of displaced apprentices and a clear employment policy. The agitation coincided with the eighth day of Bokaro MLA Shwettaa Singh’s indefinite hunger strike. BJP, Congress and JLKM functionaries extended support.The blockade on Saturday halted operations at the blast furnaces, sinter plant and steel melting shops. BSL estimated the loss at Rs 30 crore a day. Talks between the management and protesters remained inconclusive despite intervention by senior Congress members Keshav Mahto Kamlesh and Kumar Gaurav, and finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore.
