Clash in Jamshedpur over ‘desecration' of religious flag; Section 144 clamped, internet suspended

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC are in force at Shastrinagar in Jamshedpur, after the alleged desecration of a religious flag that led to brick-batting and arson between two groups. The internet has also been suspended.

Tension had been brewing in the area since Saturday night when members of a local organisation found that a piece of meat was tagged to a Ram Navami flag, police said.

"Forces are conducting early morning flag march. Section 144 is enforced in the area. Internet services are barred till the next order," said Executive Magistrate, Jyoti Kumari.


The issue escalated on Sunday evening after two shops and an auto-rickshaw were set ablaze by the warring groups. In order to control the situation the police fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Brick-batting from both sides was also reported.

"Prohibitory Orders under Section 144 of CrPC were clamped in the area," Sub-Divisional Officer (Dhalbhum), Piyush Sinha, said.

SSP Prabhat Kumar told PTI that adequate police force has been deployed at Shastrinagar to maintain law and order.

"The situation is under control and the warring groups have been dispersed... We have also taken a few persons into custody," he said.

East Singhbhum District Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav said some anti-social elements are trying to disturb peace, and sought the cooperation of people to foil their plot.

With inputs from agencies