Curfew Imposed In Hazaribagh As Ram Navami Violence Spreads In Jharkhand

Hazaribagh: On Sunday, Hazaribagh became the second district after Bokaro in Jharkhand to see curfew as violence in the state over Ram Navami processions spread further.

Curfew was imposed in the municipal area and surrounding police station areas of Hazaribagh district after over a dozen shops and more than half-a-dozen vehicles were set afire. While three deaths in all were reported on Sunday, district administration claimed two of the persons had died before the violence began and could have been killed due to personal enmity. Officials are still trying to determine the cause of the third death.

The violence began when a Ram Navami procession was stopped and the loudspeaker used was objected by other community members. It led to clashes between two groups in which several people, including policemen were injured. 

Over a dozen shops and several vehicles were set ablaze by the mobs. Earlier on Sunday, one person participating in the procession was killed. According to police, the situation is now control.  Meanwhile, curfew imposed in Bokaro was lifted on Monday. 

District administration conducted a meeting with the representatives of both the communities on Saturday morning and asked them to maintain peace and harmony. Police and Para military forces camped in the village. Legislator Nirmala Devi and representative of MP Jayant Sinha visited the spot and met the injured persons. Hazaribagh SP Akhilesh Jha said the police was keeping a close watch on anti-social elements so that no mishap takes place again.