Police take control of the situation as stone were pelted at the Ram Navami procession in Garhwa
GARHWA: Stone-pelting during a Ram Navami procession by Islamists in Garhwa, Jharkhand, led to violence late at night, forcing police to fire tear gas shells and resort to a lathi charge. The entire area has now been declared a security zone, with senior officials camping there.
On the occasion of Maha Ashtami during Ram Navami, tensions escalated in Garhwa district’s Ramkanda police station area when a dispute over the procession route turned violent. The situation had been simmering for nearly 24 hours, with disagreements over the route since Wednesday night.
Despite protests on March 26, the Ram Navami procession was taken out under police protection. However, as it reached near Kauakhokh Shiv Chabutra in the evening, Islamists allegedly blocked its path. What began as a minor disagreement quickly escalated into heavy stone-throwing from both sides.
As the situation spiralled out of control, DIG Kaushal Kishore and SP Aman Kumar rushed to the scene with heavy police deployment. To disperse the crowd, police used mild force, fired tear gas shells, and conducted a lathi charge.
Several people were injured in the clashes, including around half a dozen police personnel. Among the injured civilians are Mithilesh Kumar, Anil Kumar, and Sachin Kumar, who are currently undergoing treatment.
Police have detained over a dozen suspects and seized several motorcycles. Taking the incident seriously, Ramkanda SHO Surendra Singh Kuntia has been removed from his post, and RK Patel has been given charge. The DIG has stated firmly that those responsible for the stone-pelting will not be spared.
