At least four people were killed and over a dozen, including policemen were injured when police fired on a group of villagers in eastern India state of Jharkhand, officials said Sunday.

The villagers were protesting against state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) project being set up in the area, alleging they were denied adequate compensation for their acquired land.

Killings took place at Barkagaon on Saturday in Hazaribagh district, about 80 km north of Ranchi city, the capital of Jharkhand.

"Four villagers were killed and over a dozen including policemen were injured in clashes between agitating villagers and police," an official posted at Hazaribagh district said. "The locals were on protest for a fortnight demanding adequate compensation for their land acquired by NTPC)."

Official said protesters were led by a Congress party legislator and clashes broke out after police detained the legislator.

Locals alleged the NTPC of violating forest rights and denying them compensation while acquiring land for a coal mining site.

Media reports said the project has been facing protest since 2004. In 2010, coal mines in the area were allocated to the NTPC but work could not begin.

Authorities have rushed additional forces to the area to control the situation.

Source : XINHUA