Irate protestors burn police car, vandalize shops
Section 144 clamped on city, paramilitary deployed
Mail News Service
Chakradharpur, Nov 13: Situation turned volatile in Chakradharpur a day after the killing of Bajrang Dal leader Kamal Devi Giri in a bomb assault near Bharat Bhavan Chowk on Saturday evening. An incident of stone pelting by a group of local youths on the members of the funeral procession of the slain leader at Pawan Chowk triggered violent protests by several local social, religious and political outfits including the BJP and Bajrang Dal. West Singhbhum district administration imposed Section 144 of Cr.P.C. in Chakradharpur. The order became effective after Saturday midnight and would continue to do so till 19th November, sources said.
Police had to resort to lathicharge and firing of tear gas shells to disperse the mob of protestors who raised slogans against the district administration for allegedly failing to prevent rampant killings based on hatred and fanaticism. Paramilitary contingents were called to Chakradharpur from Jamshedpur to keep peace. A large number of armed district police personnel were deployed in the local marketplaces and other prominent public places since morning. Chakradharpur Market remained closed today as the local traders voluntarily chose to keep the shutters down apprehending backlash by the protesting Hindu outfits.
Earlier today, the body of late Kamal Dev Giri was brought to Pawan Chowk after postmortem. A crowd of around 2500 people had gathered there to pay tribute to the slain leader. The protestors blamed the district administration for failing to curb murder crimes in the city. A group of protestors retaliated to the stone pelters and vandalized several shops and a police vehicle on their way.
After several hours, late Giri was cremated at the local crematorium. Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal and SP Ashutosh Shekhar reached Chakradharpur and took control of the situation. Several youths were injured in the stone pelting and lathicharge.
Kamal Dev wanted to join BJP: Satish Puri
Mail News Service
Chakradharpur, Nov 13: Late Kamal Dev Giri wanted to join the BJP. He had just returned from the local railway station after meeting the party leaders. Three youths came near him and threw a bomb on him when he was standing near Bharat Bhavan Chowk.
Sources said the date of Giri’s joining the BJP was not fixed. West Singhbhum district BJP president Satish Puri said Giri had approached him with the request to join the party and that his request had been approved. He alleged that Giri’s murder was the result of a political conspiracy. He said Giri had grown into a popular Hindu leader not only in Chakradharpur but also in other parts of Jharkhand. Giri had also prepared for Nagar Parishad elections. But he was killed before he could take the leap into the political arena. The BJP leader said the party would launch a massive agitation against the killing. A deadline of 48 hours has been given to the district administration to arrest Giri’s killers, he said.
Kamal Dev planned to contest Nagar Parishad polls
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Nov 13: Kamal Dev Giri, who was the head of Giriraj Sena and associated with Bajrang Dal and many other Hindu outfits, was known as a promising Hindu leader. He had planned to contest the Nagar Parishad elections in Chakradharpur. Despite his growing popularity, Giri maintained a low profile and was often seen mingling with people at public places. On Saturday, he was called by someone to the railway station. He went there with his friend Shankar Singh on a bike. On returning to Bharat Bhavan Chowk, a bottle bomb was thrown on him. Cops suspect Giri was being followed by the killers before being eliminated.
Police slackness blamed for Giri’s murder
Chakradharpur, Nov 13: Members of local Hindu outfits and BJP leaders alleged that police slackness and a poor law and order situation in Chakradharpur led to the killing of Kamal Dev Giri. They said the police had failed to create a fear-free atmosphere for the citizens. Instead, criminals feel fear-free in West Singhbhum, they alleged.
