Clashes in Jamshedpur, Sec 144 imposed

Police resort to lathi-charge, fire tear gas shells to calm situation

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, April 9: Prohibitory orders under Sec 144 have been clamped in Shastrinagar under Kadma police station following a communal instigating incident near Mahavir Jhanda on Shastrinagar Road no 3 Chowk on Saturday night.

Police somehow managed to calm down the agitated situation on Saturday night but the simmering tension snowballed into violence on Sunday evening.

Sources informed that there were incidences of rampant firing and stone pelting from either side and burning of several vehicles.

Sources further added that on Sunday matters took a violent turn at 6: 30 pm when sloganeering and stone pelting were reported from both sides.

The Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum, Vijaya Jadhav had arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation and review measures adopted to control the communal cauldron.

She released a video appeal to citizens for maintaining calm as the district administration was monitoring the situation round-the-clock.

 SP and SDO reached the spot along with additional police forces to pacify the two warring communities but they were unwilling to listen to reason.

In view of the combustible situation, The Quick Response Team (QRT) was immediately posted at the volatile spot.

Police resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the violent crowd. Four shops and one autorickshaw were set on fire.

Police have taken charge of the entire place of communal unrest and continuing in their efforts to pacify the agitated groups.

The fire brigade was busy in dousing the flames.

According to latest reports, RAF and Anti Riot Resources had been pressed into service.

Fifty persons were arrested and taken to police head quarters for questioning.

Stones were also pelted at the police too that resulted in injuries to the men in khaki.

Jamshedpur’s SSP Prabhat Kumar himself reached the spot to assess the fiery situation. At the time of going to press, the situation at Sashtrinagar is reported to be tense but under control.

Police patrolling is in place.