Several people were injured and at least three shops allegedly torched after a clash broke out between two groups during a Holi procession in Jharkhand's Giridih district on Friday, police said.
The incident took place in Ghodthamba when the passing of a Holi procession through the area was opposed by a group, leading to a clash in which both sides pelted each other with stones, the officer said. "A large police contingent was deployed to restore peace in the area. The situation is under control and is being monitored closely," Khorimahua Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rajendra Prasad said.
According to local sources, the incident happened when a Holi procession was passing near a mosque, and an altercation took place over loud music. This was followed by stone pelting from both sides. In the aftermath, “several gumti (stalls) and vehicles were set ablaze or vandalised, while multiple people got injured in the attack,” locals claimed.
SDO Ranjan, however, said the claims are exaggerated, and some of the videos doing the rounds are old.
Giridih Superintendent of Police Dr Bimal Kumar said, “We have identified some suspects and will update on the situation in due course.”
Authorities have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits. SP Dr Vimal Kumar stated that strict action would be taken against those found guilty of inciting violence. He urged citizens to remain calm and refrain from spreading rumours. While normalcy has been restored, a heavy police presence continues in the area to prevent further escalation.
Authorities are currently probing the exact cause of the altercation. Deputy Development Commissioner Smrita Kumari, while talking to the media, said, “Anti-social elements had likely played a role in stoking the violence, disrupting law and order, but the situation is now peaceful.”
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and BJP president Babulal Marandi attacked the JMM-led state government and said, “The tragic incident of stone-pelting and arson during the Holi procession in Girdih’s Ghordhamba is a result of Hemant Soren’s politics of appeasement and the failure of the administrative system.”
This is not the first such incident in recent weeks. Similar unrest was reported in Hazaribagh during Mahashivratri, raising concerns about the administration’s ability to maintain law and order. As Giridih recovers from the violence, questions linger over the growing communal tensions in the state and the government’s response in preventing such conflicts in the future.
Meanwhile, in another incident after the violent clash between two groups in Namkum in Ranchi on Saturday, there was an atmosphere of tension in the area on Sunday as well. People of one side blocked the road with the body of the student killed in the violence. On the other hand, the district administration bulldozed the liquor dens.
More than a dozen people were injured after the violent road clash between two groups in Namkum, Ranchi on the day of Holi. A youth named Sonu also died in this. Angry with Sonu's death, the villagers blocked the Ranchi-Namkum road on Sunday afternoon. They completely stopped the movement of vehicles by setting fire on the road itself.
The protesting people demanded the arrest of the accused, demolition of the liquor dens as well as giving government jobs to the family members of the deceased. Along with the villagers, leaders of many parties were also supporting them in blocking the road.
