Akhara committees demand suspension of CO after Friday’s strife
Jamshedpur, April 1: The situation at Haldipokhar under Kowali police station of Potka block of East Singhbhum district remained tensed but under control on Saturday following following stone pelting by a particular community during the Ram Navami Akhara procession on Friday night.
Haldipokhar market bandh was announced by the Bijay Bajrang Akhara Committee on April 1 Saturday in protest against the incident of stone pelting and injuries to people during the Ram Navami immersion procession. Haldipokhar, Hata and Hensal markets remained completely closed since this morning.
Due to the bandh, on the second day of the incident on Saturday also, the atmosphere was tensed.. During this Haldipokhar market was completely converted into a police cantonment. Flag march was taken out by the police personnel under the leadership of East Singhbhum rural SP Mukesh Kumar Lunayat.
The rural SP and DSP Musabani Chandrashekhar Azad monitored the scene personally.
Local people are demanding expulsion of Potka circle officer Imtiyaz Ahmed and strict action against the culprits. People have also submitted a demand letter to the SDO, on which the administration is considering.
Rural SP however claimed that the situation remains normal. More than 150 jawans have been deployed in the entire area. Flag march has also been taken out in the area in the morning. Rural SP said that the mukhiya Devi Kumari Bhumij was injured in the incident.
In this case, the police will register a case on the statement of Devi Kumari.
At the same time, an FIR can be lodged by the police against those who spoiled the atmosphere and the culprits are being identified. A procession of Bijay Bajrang Akhara was taking place from Haldipokhar on Friday. As the procession reached near Haldipokhar Chowk, a particular community pelted stones at the procession.
The flag was broken during the stampede, adding to the tension. Several policemen including CO Imtiaz Ahmed, mukhiya Devi Kumari Bhumij were injured in the stone pelting. Angry people started shouting slogans after the policemen were injured. During this, the Akhara procession was sent to Kamal Talab for immersion through another route. The people of the committee told that they were taking out the immersion procession in a peaceful manner.