20 people arrested after clash during Ram Navami procession in Jharkhand

Garwah: Twenty people were arrested on Friday in connection with a clash between two groups over a minor issue during a Ram Navami procession in Jharkhand's Garwah district, a senior official said.

The incident took place on Thursday night near Kauwakho Shiv Chaturtra area when a group from a particular community objected to the hoisting of a religious flag and bursting of firecrackers during Mahashtami day of the ongoing Ram Navami festivities, officials said.

An altercation over the issue soon turned violent, with both sides started throwing stones at each other despite efforts by police to pacify them, officials said, adding that police used mild force to disperse the mob.


Several persons, including policemen, sustained injuries in the incident, they said.

"Based on CCTV footage, police have identified the miscreants, including those leading the mob involved in stone-pelting, and arrested 20 people," Sub-Divisional Officer (Ranka) Rudra Pratap told PTI.

He said additional police force has been deployed in and around the area to maintain law and order.

Palamu Deputy Inspector General Kishore Kaushal and SP Aman Kumar went to the spot and are monitoring the situation, officials said.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made across the district ahead of the Ram Navami immersion processions to be taken out by over a dozen akhara committees later in the day, they added.