1 killed, 9 injured in clash during Muharram procession

Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), October 24

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One person was killed and at least nine were injured in violence between two groups during a Muharram procession in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district on Saturday, which led to the police firing 70 rounds in the air to control the situation.

DIG of North Chotonagpur Division, Upendra Kumar, confirming the death of one person, said trouble began a when a group of about hundred people standing on the road opposite the ground at Charowa Das, 8 km from here on the Hazaribagh-Katkumsandi road, pelted stones at an over 10,000-strong gathering.

Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar said about 22 Muharram Akharas from nearby villages and Hazaribagh town had assembled to take part in the procession.

The clashing sides indulged in heavy brickbatting and then fired at each other, forcing the police to first lathi-charge and then burst teargas shells. But when the actions failed to disperse the mob, the police fired at least 70 rounds in the air, said Kumar, who rushed to the spot along with the district Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar Jha.

The mob also set ablaze the vehicles of the circle officer and inspector of police,  which were parked at the site, as well as a number of other vehicles, including two-wheelers belonging to people who turned up to watch the procession.

Besides, several vehicles, including that of the SDO and BDO, were badly damaged, the SP said.

The DIG said the dead man was identified as a resident of nearby Khutra village, but it was not clear whether it was due to police firing or firing by the mob.

“The reason for the death can be ascertained only after post-mortem,” he said.

The DIG said at least nine persons were injured and as per the latest information, five of them have been admitted to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital.

Several police personnel received head injuries, he said, adding that an assistant sub-inspector of the police sustained severe head injuries and was among those admitted to the hospital.

The situation was, however, now under control and there was heavy deployment of police in the area. No arrests have yet been made in connection with the violence, the DIG said.

Section 144 Cr PC had been clamped in entire Hazaribagh sub-division for the next fortnight, SDO, Sadar, Anuj Kumar Sinha said.

The SP and the DC are camping at the site. — PTI