The famous Ram Navmi festival of Hazaribagh this year has turned into an occasion of taking revenge of old rivalry and riot between the two communities of the society. In Hazaribagh, Ram Navmi is a three-day long festival.
On Saturday-Sunday midnight as the Dashmi procession reached to its peak several clashes took place between the members of different akharas. Two youths lost their lives in these clashes and as per talks going on in the town these murders are result of old rivalry and revenge.
At one place the president of Hazaribagh Ramnavmi Mahasamiti clashed with his so called old rival and both got seriously injured. Both have been referred to Ranchi for better treatment. One more body was found near Chotki Gwaltoli on Sunday noon but the cause of this death is still a mystery.
Communal tension sprung up on Sunday evening when the processions of outer areas of Hazaribagh were going back. As a procession was passing through the minority dominated area Khirgaon few persons of the locality reportedly started throwing stones on the procession causing stampede. The crowd left the procession there and rushed to town areas. As the news spread members of other community also came on streets and torched more than 30 shops. DIG, DC, SP and other officials immediately came in action and controlled the situation.
The district administration has imposed Section 144 in the town areas. The situation in town is tense but under control. As per the record of the Sadar hospital 200 persons got injured during processions and incidents of clashes.
Hazaribagh SP Akhilesh Jha said, "We are keeping a close eye on the anti social elements. The number of forces has increased in the affected areas. He further said that we have deputed 200 magistrates on static points. This duty will continue till the situation will be normal."