Internet restored in Ranchi, prohibitory order in place in 6 sensitive places

25 FIRs lodged against 22 named and thousands of unnamed persons: SSP

Ranchi, June 12: Tension prevailed in Jharkhand capital Ranchi on Sunday, as police strengthened security in sensitive areas and registered 25 FIRs against “thousands” of people in the aftermath of violent protests over controversial comments on Prophet Mohammad.

Internet services, however, were restored in the district after nearly 33 hours, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Chhavi Ranjan said.

Around 3,500 security personnel are on guard at sensitive areas in Ranchi, where two people were killed and more than two dozen people critically injured, as protests and clashes rocked the city after the Friday prayers.

The protesters have been demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Kumar Jha said personnel of the Rapid Action Force, anti-terrorism squad, special task force and district police have been deputed at strategic locations, including “38 identified vulnerable pockets”.

Fifty motorcycle patrol teams have also been pressed into service.

“Twenty-five FIRs have been registered against 22 named people, and thousands of unnamed people. No arrests have been made so far. Interrogation is underway based on inputs from intelligence, CID and social media,” Jha said at a press conference here.

In reply to queries regarding police firing, he said there are certain standard operating procedures to deal with such situations, which were adhered to.

“Firing is the last resort. We followed all norms before resorting to firing, as the crowd was aggressive and uncontrollable. I don’t want to talk much on this as the matter is under investigation,” Jha said.

Ranjan said prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been lifted from six of the 12 police station areas.

Restrictions on movement of five or more persons continue in Kotwali, Lower Bazar, Chutia, Daily Market, Doranda and Hindipiri stations, but people have been allowed to purchase daily essentials while adhering to the provisions, he said.

Security in other parts of Jharkhand has also been beefed up, as per reports from districts.

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Meanwhile, internet services in Ranchi district, which were suspended from 7 pm on Friday as a precautionary measure, resumed after 33 hours.

The internet services were restored at 4 am on Sunday, Ranjan said.

Police had on Saturday said 12 of its personnel and an equal number of civilians were injured in the protests that turned violent.

A RIMS official said that eight injured people undergoing treatment at the medical facility are critical, with one Nadeem Ansari, 24, still on a ventilator and battling for life

The DC further said that to normalize the situation as soon as the crowd was controlled, Section-144 was imposed in the city and internet service was also stopped so that the atmosphere does not deteriorate.

Deputy commissioner Ranchi  told that Section 144 has been imposed in 12 police station areas of the capital. The the death of two people has been reported in this incident, whose bodies have been handed over to the relatives.

“Police personnel are stationed in six police stations in Kotwali, Upper Bazar, Hindpiri, Daily Market, Doranda, Chutia. Between one o’clock in the afternoon to five in the evening, exemption has been given for the purchase of essential goods in the above police station areas so that people can purchase daily needs. But not more than four people can gather together. Except for the above police station areas, section-144 is not applicable in the rest of the areas of Ranchi.