HAZARIBAG: Mahashivratri festivities were marred by a violent clash between members of two communities at Hazarbag’s Ichak block on Wednesday. The clash, which erupted over alleged installation of a loudspeaker and saffron flags atop an iron pole facing a govt-run school at Dumraon village, roughly 25 km from here, left a dozen people injured, and several vehicles charred.
Ichak police station in-charge Santosh Kumar, talking to TOI, said trouble began brewing when Mahashivratri revellers were fixing a loudspeaker facing a govt-run school for minorities, which was adjacent to a place of worship, at Hindustan Chowk on Tuesday night.
“We held meeting with representatives of the two communities to reach an understanding in which it was agreed that the loudspeaker would be removed from the pole. But a section of mob today objected, leading to the clash,” he said.
Situation worsened around 11 am when members of the two communities had a heated verbal exchange, which escalated into a clash. The situation turned worse when troublemakers climbed onto the school’s roof and began throwing stones at the police and gathered crowds, resulting in approximately 12 injuries from both sides.
“Before police reinforcements could reach, several vehicles were torched. Two persons were arrested, and several others will be nabbed soon. Senior officers are camping in the village, and prohibitory orders have been clamped under section 163 of BNS banning procession, assembly of five or more persons, carrying of arms and lathi etc in the area. The situation is under control at present,” he said in the evening.
“We are viewing CCTV footages in the area to identify the perpetrators. Priority now is to douse the tension,” said another police official, requesting anonymity.
Later in the evening, Shivratri procession concluded peacefully under police supervision here. Other parts of Hazaribag however remained peaceful.
