Ranchi, Sep 24 (IANS) Protesters demanding adequate compensation for their acquired agricultural land allegedly beat up a government official in a Jharkhand village Wednesday, the police said.Around 3,000 villagers gathered under the banner of Bhumi Raksha Samitee near Badkagao block of Hazaribagh district, around 130 km from here.

The villagers were unhappy with the compensation package offered by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for their acquired agricultural land. The land has been taken over for coal mining.

The police said angry villagers first had a heated argument with district administration official Afroz Aalam. They then pelted stones and beat up Alam, who sustained head injuries.

A policeman was also beaten up when he tried to rescue the official, said the police.