At least 44 people, including nine policemen, were injured when labourers, who were protesting against the closure of a coal mine, clashed with police in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Friday.

Official sources said that the labourers of the Jagaldaldaga mine, demonstrating under the banner of the Coal Majdoor Union before the residence of the sub-divisional officer of Latehar, blocked the Daltonganj-Ranchi road and pelted stones on policemen.

As lathi-charge failed to control the crowd, the police fired a few rounds in self-defence.

Sixteen of the injured were admitted to a hospital in Latehar while others were given first aid on the spot.