Jamshedpur on edge after Karni Sena leader's killing; prohibitory orders issued
Authorities in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district administration have imposed prohibitory orders in parts of Jamshedpur, anticipating violent protests over the killing of local Karni Sena
Authorities in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district administration have imposed prohibitory orders in parts of Jamshedpur, anticipating violent protests over the killing of local Karni Sena leader Himanshu Singh, who was attacked after he objected to an alleged eve-teasing incident at a bar. The restrictions were announced as Singh's family continued to refuse cremation and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. The BJP has threatened a citywide shutdown on Friday if the accused are not arrested at once, and has accused the JMM-led government of failing to control crime. Read Full Story Late on Tuesday night, Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered the removal of East Singhbhum Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey and Seraikela-Kharswan Superintendent of Police Nidhi Dwivedi for failing to control criminal activities, while four police personnel have already been suspended for alleged negligence in the case. Singh, 28, died on Monday night after suffering injuries in a brawl that broke out on Saturday night at a bar in Bistupur, where he and a friend had protested against an alleged eve-teasing incident.
His friend was also stabbed and remains in a critical condition at a local hospital. According to police, the protest by the two men led to a scuffle with the accused. Police intervened and put the duo in their patrol vehicle, but the accused allegedly dragged them out and stabbed them. After Singh's death, the steel city saw large protests on Monday night. His family refused to cremate the body and said the administration must arrest the culprits within 48 hours and take action against the police personnel who were present when Singh was attacked. Senior police officers had met the family and tried to persuade them to accept the body and proceed with the cremation, but they did not agree. However, they later agreed for cremation after a written agreement with the authorities ensuring action, and the arrest of three accused. The Dhalbhum Sub-Divisional Officer, Arnav Mishra, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS in the Sakchi, Bistupur, Sonari, Kadma, Mango and MGM police station areas.
In a notification, Mishra said the administration had information about possible road blockades and demonstrations over the killing, and that these could disturb law and order. The restrictions will remain in force until further orders. chief minister and BJP leader Raghubar Das met Singh's family and later alleged that police were mute spectators when the accused stabbed Singh and his friend inside the patrol vehicle and again after dragging them out. He claimed the two men were writhing in pain for about half an hour, but police showed no urgency in taking them to hospital. Das said a BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Rajeev Ranjan, demanding that a murder case be registered against the police personnel present at the spot and that Singh's wife be given a government job. He described the JMM-led dispensation as a "government of criminals and mafia and not a government of the people". Alleging that criminal activities were rising while police remained mute spectators, he also demanded that the houses of those responsible for attacking Singh and his friend be bulldozed if they do not surrender.
The BriefWire