Violent clashes and stones pelted in Jharkhand on Mahashivaratri preparations

There was a dispute between two parties regarding the installation of Toran Dwar on Mahashivratri in Panki market of Palamu district. During this, there was a lot of stone pelting. Some policemen who went to intervene have been injured. Tense situation prevails in the area. More than 100 jawans are deployed to control the situation. Police of many police stations including Tarhasi, Pipratand, Lesliganj reached Panki. Senior officers including the SP of the district have left for Panki.

SP Chandan Kumar Sinha of Palamu district reached the spot with the police force as soon as the information was received. District Deputy Commissioner A Dodde has also reached the spot. DSP of the district, several officers of the rank of Additional Collector and a medical team have also reached Panki. Police from three to four police stations have been deployed on the spot.

SP Chandan Kumar Sinha says that on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, a Toran Dwar was being built near the mosque by one side. The people of the other side were forbidden to build the Toran Dwar. Controversy increased regarding the same and stone pelting took place. At present the matter is calm. Further action is being taken. The SP also said that no application was given to the police station regarding the construction of the toran gate.

Prohibitory orders (Section 144) have been imposed following a clash between two communities on Wednesday morning. This information has been given by a senior police officer. The police are keeping a close watch on the spot and the surrounding area as well. Police is ready to deal with any incident. Magistrates have also been deputed at the spot and its surrounding areas.

According to the information, half a dozen people have been injured in this clash. The injured have been brought to Sadar Hospital after first aid. There is also information that some policemen were injured in stone pelting, but this has not been confirmed by the police yet.

Inspector General of Police, Palamu range, Rajkumar Lakra said that it started after vandalism at the Toran Dwar, which later turned into a clash, then sticks and stones were pelted. He said that keeping in mind the Shivratri Puja, the toran gate was installed by the devotees of a particular community.

In connection with the incident of stone pelting, vandalism and arson, some people from both the communities have been detained by the police. According to police sources, some of them are involved in the incident. After the incident, the traffic on the Panki-Medininagar road has stopped. This has created a situation of jam on the road. Along with the spot in Panki, shops in the surrounding area have also been closed as a precaution. People are not coming out of the house. A curfew-like situation has been created in the area.