12 held for Hazaribag violence, death caused by rubber bullet

Hazaribag (Jharkhand): Twelve persons have been arrested in connection with the clash during Muharram procession in the district which had claimed one life.

Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribag, Mukesh Kumar told reporters today that 12 persons have been arrested in connection with the yesterday’s violence and no untoward incident was reported from any part of Hazaribag.

The Commissioner (North Chotanagpur Division), Veena Srivastava has ordered a magisterial inquiry to find out reasons behind the violence that forced police to open fire after all attempts to control the unruly mob including bursting of tear-gas shell and lathi charge failed, he said.

Kumar said a senior magistrate will head a five-member inquiry committee to probe the incident and also find out whether there was any lapse on the part of the district administration to deal with the situation.

One person was killed and nine other suffered injuries in the violence which broke out as a Muharram procession was taken out at Charowa Dam yesterday.

The DIG (North Chotanagpur Division), Upendra Kumar said a rubber bullet was extracted from the body of the victim in post-mortem.

Unfortunately, the rubber bullet, which is normally used by the police to ensure minimum injury, had hit the chest of the victim and punctured the heart, causing his death, the police official said.

Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Srivastava held a meeting with the district officials and members of the Central Peace Committee.

Srivastava described yesterday’s violence and police firing as unfortunate while appealing to people to maintain peace and tranquillity.

She also appealed to the business community to keep their shops and business establishments open.