Multiple incidents of violence are being reported from across the country including Bihar and Jharkhand during the Muharram processions. On 17th July, at around 10 pm, a small argument over a broken tube light escalated to the point of heavy stone pelting between two communities, near Hariharganj Jaggu Chowk, on the Bihar-Jharkhand border which resulted in many injuries.
A sub-inspector and two constables of the Hariharganj police station also sustained wounds. On 18th July, all the shops remained closed in protest of the violence. Meanwhile, the authorities are trying to resolve the issue by holding a meeting with both the communities in the police station premises.
Section 144 has been imposed in the area. Cops from Kutumba police station and Hariharganj police station are stationed at the scene. However, there are instances of sporadic clashes and the situation remains tense. An individual named Kameshwar Paswan revealed that a tube light was installed on the cemetery road for the Muharram procession but it went off when the gathering reached there. Afterwards, some people indulged in rumour-mongering and claimed that the tube light was broken.
The persons in the procession then surrounded the houses of Gupta Paswan and Doman Paswan and started hurling stones. They invaded the house, smashed the windows and doors as well as thrashed the occupants. Another local, Gangotri Kunwar stated that she and her daughter were at home when a few guys burst through the window, entered the place and began their assault. The victims were saved by the cops. The miscreants reportedly started shooting as well. Meanwhile, people of the other community claimed that the unrest was a result of a road dispute.
The Muharram procession in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district was also marred by disturbances when the alteration to the procession route caused conflict between two factions which led to at least six casualties, the police informed on 18th July. The incident took place during the previous night in the Pandarpalla area of Wasseypur. According to police, prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to maintain law and order.
According to H.P. Janardhanan, Senior Superintendent of Police in Dhanbad, the occurrence was triggered by the alteration in the Muharram procession route. The organizers maintained that the decision was taken due to waterlogging. The top cop highlighted that the situation was brought under control as the police personnel reached the spot and the matter is under further investigation.
Violence in Motihari, Bihar
This year’s Muharram procession in Motihari, Bihar has seen another violent altercation which has resulted in the critical injuries of more than half a dozen people. A Tazia procession was taken out in Nakardei village of Sugauli police station area of the district on 17th July when a fight erupted between the people which intensified into violent chaos as the miscreants threw stones and fired bullets at the house of the head of hamlet. Many people were wounded because of the shooting and sword fights and were admitted to hospital for treatment.
The authorities arrived at the scene after learning about the situation and recovered four bullet pellets from the place. The cops are deployed in the area to ensure law and order. According to the police, there was a confrontation between two groups because of a disagreement. Aerial gunfire has resulted in numerous injuries. No one has been shot but people have been hurt by sticks and batons, among other things. The matter is being investigated and strict action will be taken against the perpetrators, the police informed.
On the evening of 16th July, a police team was ambushed while attempting to confiscate a DJ that was part of a Muharram procession in the Muzaffarpur district. A few police officers were hurt when the crowd launched stones at them and chased the former for approximately a kilometre. Furthermore, they thrashed the personnel who were trapped at the location. Numerous police vehicles sustained damages. The cops and their cars somehow managed to escape from the scene.
A few individuals in the throng began to block the route and instigate more unrest. They also threw stones at the cars of onlookers and attacked them. There were over a dozen vandalised vehicles, including cars and buses. “Two persons have been detained for interrogation. No major injuries have been reported by anyone. The incident took place in Sipahpur Bakhri under Ahiyapur police station,” mentioned Muzaffarpur Town Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bhanu Pratap Singh.
A similar ruckus was reported during the Tazia procession near Sahdei Buzurg in the Vaishali district where the perpetrators pelted stones at the cops and completely damaged the police vehicle as well as broke all its glass panes. The procession of the young Muslim Akhara of Sarae Dhanesh reached Mangalhat when at around 10 pm they argued with the police personnel regarding the procession’s time and resorted to violence.
