THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Hazaribag, March 29: Hazaribag witnessed large-scale unrest during the Ram Navami and Dashami processions, leaving two people dead and over 450 injured amid violent clashes, overcrowding, and widespread disruption across the town.
Authorities confirmed that tensions escalated due to the brandishing of weapons and confrontations between rival akhadas (groups), with incidents of vandalism reported in multiple locations.
450+ Injured, Five Critical; Hospitals Overwhelmed
More than 450 individuals have sustained injuries, with five reported to be in critical condition and referred to higher medical centres for specialised treatment. The injured are being treated at Sadar Hospital and several private nursing homes.
Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Dipugarha, is among those receiving treatment at a private hospital in Hazaribag.
Fatal Stabbing Claims Life of 22-Year-Old
A 22-year-old man, identified as Abhishek Sharma from Gwaltoli Chowk in the Bara Bazar area, died after being stabbed in the chest at Jhanda Chowk during the procession.
He was initially provided medical aid before being referred to a hospital in Ranchi, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Disputes Between Akhadas Spark Violence
Violence reportedly broke out following disputes between the Mandaikalan and Nagwan akhadas, primarily over right of way during the procession.
The clashes quickly escalated, leading to vandalism of trucks, DJ systems, and lighting equipment participating in the Shobha Yatra. Officials indicate that several of these incidents were linked to underlying personal enmity rather than purely religious tensions.
Entire Town Choked, Power Outage Adds to Crisis
The situation worsened as the entire Hazaribag town became heavily congested with processionists, bringing normal life to a standstill.
Compounding the chaos, the town has been without electricity since 2:00 am. As of 5:00 pm, only 35 out of the total 107 Ram Navami processions had passed, significantly delaying movement and increasing crowd pressure across key areas.
Loud DJs and Crowd Surge Intensify Disorder
The extensive use of high-volume DJ systems during the processions has been cited as a major factor contributing to public disturbance, communication breakdown, and escalating tensions among groups.
Heavy Security Deployment, Yet Violence Persists
The district administration has deployed over 5,000 security personnel and remains on high alert to maintain law and order.
Despite prior meetings with the Ram Navami Mahasamiti and clear guidelines issued to prevent disputes, incidents of violence still occurred, reportedly driven by the actions and stubbornness of certain individuals within the participating akhadas.