Hazaribagh, Mar 26: A scuffle and stone pelting broke out between two groups during the Mangla Julus procession, part of the pre-Ram Navami celebrations, in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh on Tuesday night. The clashes occurred at Jhanda Chowk when the group leading the procession played some songs, which were objected to by another group, leading to a heated altercation.
The situation escalated as the confrontation turned violent. Police acted swiftly to prevent further unrest, resorting to baton charges and firing four rounds in the air to disperse the crowd.
The Mangla Julus is traditionally held every Tuesday after Holi, leading up to Ram Navami, which falls on April 6 this year. Various Akharas participated in the procession.
Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Nancy Sahay said the situation was peaceful and under control, with adequate police forces deployed at the spot. “One group was playing some songs during the procession, which was objected to by the second group, resulting in a scuffle and stone pelting. But it did not escalate as the forces deployed there took control of the situation,” Sahay said.
Union Minister and BJP MP Sanjay Seth criticized the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government over the incident, alleging that violence during festivals had become a recurring issue in the state.
“Violence breaks out during idol immersion after Saraswati Puja. Violence breaks out during Ram Navami, during Holi, during Shiv Barat. Who are the people who want to affect peace?… Nowhere in the country does violence happen. It happens in Jharkhand. Why? Because Bangladeshi infiltrators are affecting the demography and law and order,” Seth was quoted as saying by ANI.
Seth asserted that Bangladeshi infiltrators were responsible for disrupting law and order, an issue raised earlier by Home Minister Amit Shah during the Assembly elections.
Authorities have deployed a heavy police contingent in the area to maintain law and order.
