Tension gripped Hazaribagh on Maha Shivrati as violent clashes broke out between two groups, resulting in arson and stone-pelting. Several vehicles were set ablaze, prompting heavy police deployment to control the situation. Personnel from multiple police stations were rushed to the scene as authorities worked to restore order.
The clash occurred over the hoisting of flags and setting up of loudspeakers for the Maha Shivratri festival at Icchak block of Hazaribagh district on Wednesday. The incident, which happened at Hindustan Chowk, saw stones being thrown by both sides, resulting in several injuries.
The incident took a violent turn as several vehicles and some shops were set on fire. Several people sustained injuries and were rushed to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Adequate forces have been deployed, and senior officers are camping at the site. As of now, the situation is under control and peaceful," said Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Nancy Sahay.
Condemning the incident, Union Minister and BJP MP from Ranchi Sanjay Seth said violence during Saraswati Puja, Ramnavami, Holi had become common in Jharkhand. He blamed such incidents on Bangladeshi infiltrators.
The Union Minister urged the Jharkhand government to take decisive action. "I urge the Chief Minister to strengthen law and order, prevent riots, and identify these infiltrators so they can be sent out of India," Seth stated.
Meanwhile, security forces continue to monitor the situation in Hazaribagh, with officials working to ensure peace. Investigations are underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events that led to the clashes.
Apart from clash at Hazaribagh the other parts of State remain peaceful. The main function of Shivratri was in Dumka where Chief Minister Hemant Soren officially inaugurated the Shiv Barat on Wednesday evening. He was accompanied by Tourism Minister Sudivya Sonu, Rural Development Minister Deepika Singh Pandey, former Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh, MLA Suresh Paswan and Zilla Parishad President Kiran Kumari, Santhal Pargana Commissioner Lalchand Dandel, DIG Kranti Kumar, Amber Lakra, DC Vishal Sagar, SP Ajit Peter Dungdung, Shivratri Festival Committee President Abhishek Anand Jha, former General Secretary of Panda Dharmarakshini Sabha Kartik Nath Thakur.
In Capital Ranchi, over 1 lakh devotees offered prayers at the Pahari Baba temple perched 2,140ft above sea level on Ranchi Hill on Shivratri Wednesday.
Like every year, Pahari Mandir Vikas Samiti had made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful and safe celebrations. As many as 20 CCTV cameras were installed on the temple premises to keep an eye on antisocial elements.
Around 100 volunteers of RSS and the samiti were deputed to assist around 100 policemen responsible for crowd control. Barricades were used to ensure that the devotees reached the hilltop in a single file via an inclined path and stairs on the northern side of main entrance and came down via stairs on the southern side of this hills.
Under the arghya (offering) system, devotees were allowed to do jalabhishek (bathing the deity) from a distance without touching the shivling in the sanctum sanctorum.
As part of the festivities, colourful Shiv barats (processions) were taken out from Shree Radha Krishna Temple, Ratu Road, Gram Vikas Vidyalaya, Tatisilwai, Maha Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple, Hinoo, Railway Protection Force Shiv temple premises, Chutia and from Pahari Baba temple at Irgutoli.
