Police allegedly resorted to lathi-charge as residents of Tirilbila village in Seraikela block of Seraikela-Kharsawan district protested against move to acquire land for an ongoing state highway project. The protest forced district officials to suspend construction work in the area. SDO Sunil Kumar Prajapati refuted claims of a police lathi-charge, stating that authorities were instead instructed to halt road construction work. This decision came after locals announced plans to hold a special prayer in the village to seek guidance from their local deity.