Jharkhand: Situation tense in Lohardaga’s Valkimi Nagar over alleged attack on members of Ganesha Pooja Committee

Ranchi: Communal tension simmers in Lohardaga’s Valmiki Nagar after members of Ganesh Pooja committee were allegedly attacked by a group of people hailing from the local Muslim community following a contention over spot of Ganesha Pooja Pandal, suggests media reports.

The confrontation between the two group occurred on Thursday, September 5 after a group of people allegedly launched an attack on district head of Yogi Sena, Pravin Thakur and his associates over dispute linked to the place of Pooja Pandal.

According to the reports, following the initial strife between the groups over the spot, where a Pooja Pandal is being erected, members of both the communities along with the police and administration have reached upon an amicable solution. Though as soon as the administration left the venue, 25-30 people allegedly launched an assault on Thakur and his accomplices, leading to injuries to six people.

लोहरदगा में गणेश पूजा के आयोजकों पर हमला…विशेष समुदाय के लोगों पर हमला करने का आरोप pic.twitter.com/aBU9fVaQjI

— News18 Jharkhand (@News18Jharkhand) September 5, 2024

As per the accusation made by those injured in the attack, the attackers launched an attack with stones and belts on Pooja Committee members when they were returning to the local police station. A complaint in regard to the attack was later submitted by Thakur on late Thursday night. Though hours later a counter complaint has also been filed by those who have been named by Thakur.

Meanwhile, the police took out a flag march in the area on Friday evening, September 6 and reiterated that strict action will be taken against those found in creating a law and order issue.

However, as per media reports, Hindu activists of the area are in a disagreement over the way administration has handled the matter and have warned for calling a Bandh (Shutdown) if the police fail to act against the attackers.

Labelling similar accusations on the government, the prime opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in a post on X said that “Hindu faith is being continuously attacked under the Congress-JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) government. Today the situation is such that neither Hindus nor their festivals are safe under this government.”

कांग्रेस-झामुमो की सरकार में हिंदू आस्था पर लगातार प्रहार हो रहा है।

तुष्टीकरण और वोटबैंक के लालच में अंधी हो चुकी हेमंत सरकार धार्मिक अराजकता को बढ़ावा दे रही है।

आज आलम ये है कि इस सनातन विरोधी सरकार में न तो हिंदू सुरक्षित हैं और न ही हिंदुओं के तीज-त्योहार। pic.twitter.com/aNnHUi2vLC

— BJP JHARKHAND (@BJP4Jharkhand) September 6, 2024

As of now, the Pooja Pandal has been slightly shifted from the place from where it was being erected initially and the administration is keeping a vigil watch on the situation. It is to be noted that a five-day Ganesha Pooja celebration will commence in Valmiki Nagar from Saturday, September 8 in continuation with the tradition that being carried out in the area for around four decades.