Clashes in Jharkhand during Durga immersion , 8 injured

Dumka (Jharkhand) :  Eight people, including two police personnel, were injured and an idol of Goddess Durga was damaged during brickbatting after an altercation over an immersion procession here. Superintendent of Police, Prabhat Kumar on Tuesday  said the clash took place  near Pahridih village under Jama police station when people of neighbouring Peerghadih were on their way to immerse the idol after the conclusion of the five-day Durga Puja. Kumar said police rushed to the spot and assistant sub- inspector Manoj Kumar and an havildar Ranjit Mandal were among the eight injured in the brick-batting. The idol was also damaged but it was immersed late in the night amid tight security under the supervision of sub-divisional officer Jishan Kamar, he said. Four persons were arrested soon after the clash but Peerghadih villagers demanding the arrest of others involved in it damaged a Muharram tazia at Pahridih .The police dispersed the mob and another nine people were arrested taking the total apprehended in the two incidents to 13, Kumar said adding FIR was registered against 31 named and 150 unknown persons on the charge of hurting religious sentiments. Prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC was clamped in the area in view of the tension and police held meetings with people of both the villages to restore the situation, he said. Police have been deployed in the area and the situation was now "well under control", the SP added