Internet suspended, section 144 imposed in Jamshedpur over religious flag's desecration

A tense situation prevails at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand on Monday after clashes erupted between two groups after a religious flag was allegedly desecrated. 

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed in the city and the internet temporarily suspended following stone-pelting and brick-batting incidents. There were also reports of arson after two shops and an autorickshaw were set on fire at the Shastrinagar area. The incident took place in the Kadma police station area, reported ANI.

Following the incident, a company of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in the city and a flag march was conducted by the security personnel on Monday morning. "Forces are conducting early morning flag march. Section 144 has been enforced in the area. Internet services are barred till the next order," executive magistrate Jyoti Kumari was quoted by ANI.

While it is not clear how many have been arrested, senior police officials said the situation is under control. "Those who had gathered were sent home. The force has been deployed in the entire area and a company of RAF is deployed. Some people have also been detained," Jamshedpur Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar said. 

The administration officials have also held talks with the peace committee and other stakeholders to bring normalcy. They have also requested people to not believe in rumours. 

VHP state bandh in Biranpur

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a statewide bandh in Chhattisgarh on Monday after a communal clash erupted between two groups in Biranpur village of Bemetara district. One person died and three policemen were injured in the incident.

All roads leading to the village have been barricaded by the police. Senior security personnel and district administration officials have been camping in the village since Saturday when the violence erupted.

The situation remained tense on Sunday and a huge posse of police personnel was deployed to avoid any flare-up.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has appealed to people to maintain peace. When asked about the violence, CM Baghel told reporters in Raipur that the incident should not have happened. "I appeal to people to maintain peace, he said.

"The incident was the fallout of a fight between two children and a youth got killed (in the subsequent violence). Action is being taken based on complaints and the administration has been keeping an eye on the situation," the CM said.

The opposition BJP and the kin of the deceased blamed the police for the incident. 

The violence in Biranpur, having a population of around 1,300 and located 60 km from Bemetara, erupted on Saturday after a fight between some schoolchildren.

A village resident, Bhuvneshwar Sahu (23), was killed while three policemen suffered injuries in the violence that prompted the local administration to impose section 144 of the CrPC, which bars assembly of four or more people, in the area.

Durg BJP MP Vijay Baghel and other leaders of the party visited Biranpur village on Sunday and demanded the police search houses of Muslims in the village to look for weapons. 

"Incidents of love jihad have happened in Biranpur in the past and people have complained about it to police, but no action has been taken," Vijay Baghel claimed and added the negligence of police caused the death of the 23-year-old man. 

The district administration and police should constitute a probe committee to investigate the entire matter, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)