Ranchi, Mar 17 : A violent clash during Holi celebrations in Namkum, Ranchi, led to the death of 48-year-old Sonu Munda, triggering protests and arrests, officials said on Sunday. The incident was among a few disturbances reported across Jharkhand during the festival, while celebrations remained largely peaceful elsewhere.
Hundreds of residents blocked the Namkum-Purulia road, carrying Munda’s body and burning tyres, demanding Rs 10 lakh compensation and a government job for his family. In response, police arrested 15 people, including five women. Ranchi SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter and track down all accused.
The violence began on Friday evening near a liquor shop in Namkum Khatal and Jorar Basti, involving drunken youths. The situation escalated on Saturday morning when rival groups armed with sticks and other weapons clashed, leaving four people injured, including Munda, who later succumbed to his injuries.
Speaking to The Times of India, Ranchi DSP Amar Kumar Pandey said, “Fifteen suspects have been arrested and jailed for their alleged involvement in the violent clash. The groups pelted stones and fought with sticks. We intervened during the initial clash on Friday. No formal complaints were filed. We have begun an investigation after locals reported an escalation on Saturday.”
Additional police forces have been deployed in Jorar Basti to prevent further violence.
Authorities took further action by demolishing an eatery owned by the main accused, Shatrughan Rai, after the railways and Namkum circle officer reported that it was illegally built on railway land.
In separate incidents, two bodies were recovered in Ranchi over the weekend.
A 30-year-old man, identified as Raza, was found dead in Kishoreganj under Kotwali police station on Saturday. CCTV footage showed a minor allegedly killed him by hitting him with stones.
Meanwhile, police discovered the body of Deepak Dubey (32) near Banas pond in the Chutia police station area. His body bore head injuries, but the exact cause of death remains unclear, pending post-mortem results.
In Giridih, a Holi procession of about 20 people clashed with locals while attempting to pass through a prayer site of another community on Friday. Violence erupted when the procession pushed forward, leading to retaliation.
The clash resulted in widespread damage, with shops, vehicles, and bikes burned, a religious site vandalized, and three police vehicles damaged. Four policemen were injured.
Speaking on the matter, Giridih SP Bimal Kumar stated, “Peace has been restored. We have registered an FIR and an investigation is going on.”
According to an FIR lodged by Magistrate Surendra Kumar Barnwal, 80 suspects have been identified, along with 200-250 unidentified individuals from two different communities, 39 from one side and 41 from the other.
In Dhanbad’s Dhaura village, a dispute over the use of a bathing area for cremation rituals led to tensions along the Damodar riverbank under the Bhatdih police station.
Authorities said both sides later resolved the issue amicably without filing FIRs. Dhanbad SSP HP Janardhanan noted, “The festival of colors was generally peaceful with only minor incidents.”
Despite these incidents, Holi celebrations remained peaceful across much of Jharkhand, including in Khunti district, where enhanced security arrangements were in place.
SDP Varun Rajak stated that 100 individuals were bound down as a precaution, while the district administration held peace committee meetings to maintain order.
IG (Operations) & Jharkhand Police spokesperson Amol Homkar affirmed, “Barring a few incidents, Holi was celebrated peacefully across the state. People from different communities cooperated with police. Regarding the group clash in Giridih, the administration took swift action and senior police officials are monitoring the situation.”
