Prohibitory orders imposed after violence in Ranchi

Ranchi, June 10: Prohibitory orders were imposed in parts of Ranchi after some policemen and others were injured here on Friday while trying to control a mob near a temple, an official said.

The incident occurred after protests erupted with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

Police fired in the air besides resorted to lathi-charge to control the mob which spilled out on the road after Friday prayers in a mosque located close by.

The protestors shouted slogans and pelted the police with stones.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, (prohibiting gathering of five or more people) has been imposed in an around the affected area, the official said

Ranchi Deputy Commissioner, Chhavi Ranjan said  “The prohibitory order is applicable on 500 metres of both sides of the main road from Albert Ekka Chowk to Sujata Chowk near overbridge”.

 Asked about the number of policemen and persons injured in the incident, the DC said the exact number is being ascertained.

Meanwhile drone surveillance is being done in the affected area to keep an eye on the miscreants

The district administration on Friday imposed a curfew in violence-hit areas of Ranchi after a protest erupted against the controversial remarks of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal.

“District Administration has imposed a curfew across Ranchi. We appeal to the people to stay at home,” the administration announced.

The protest had turned violent after the incidents of stone-pelting and torching of several vehicles and vandalisation were reported. Many people have sustained injuries in the violent protests.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Inspector General of Ranchi Police (DIG) Anish Gupta had said that the situation was “under control” despite being a “little tense”.

The DIG had also assured the deployment of heavy security and the presence of senior officials at the protest site.

Some policemen were injured here on Friday while trying to control an irate mob near Hanuman Temple, situated on Ranchi’s Main Road, after protests erupted with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad, police said.

Police fired in air besides resorted to lathi-charge to control the mob which spilled out on the road after Friday prayers and pelted stones and shouted slogans.

A large crowd of people gathered on Main Road shouting slogans against Sharma and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP’s media unit.

Heavy security deployment has been made to manage the situation and avoid any untoward incident.

According to police officials, the protest have been continuing since morning and picked up tempo post-Friday prayers. Many shops and establishments kept their shutters down in protest against the remarks.

The row over the alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated on Sunday with protests from countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran, prompting the BJP to take action against its functionaries and assert that it respects all religions.

As the row intensified within the country and abroad, the BJP on Sunday suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Jindal. 

Notably, a controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma’s remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest.

CM appeals for calm, cautions against violence 

As the protest turned violent in Ranchi over the Prophet remarks by BJP leaders, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Friday termed the incident concerning and said it’s a ploy of people who are engaging in hate-mongering.

Hemant Soren further stated that all of the people are now bearing the brunt of nuisance created by few anti social elements.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren also expressed his concern over the incident of violence on Main Road of the Jharkhand capital. Expressing his grief over the incident, the Chief Minister said that somewhere we are being victimized in a planned manner.

Making his appeal, the Chief Minister said that the people of the state have always been sensitive and tolerant.

In the present situation, the chief minister said, we are all passing through the time of examination and there may be very difficult examinations as well.

Soren also  appealed  against losing patience, and said that the law and the Constitution also say that those who commits a crime gets punishment. Therefore, no one should commit a violent incident.