GIRIDIH, Jharkhand – Chaos erupted during the Giridih Municipal Corporation elections on Monday as violence broke out in Ward 18, leaving two men wounded by gunfire. The incident unfolded amid heated clashes between rival groups, escalating into vandalism and shooting that shocked the local community.
Polling had just begun when tensions boiled over between two factions in the area. Sporadic scuffles continued throughout the day, forcing police to intervene multiple times to restore order. The situation deteriorated dramatically in the final hours of voting in Azad Nagar neighborhood.
Eyewitnesses described how the confrontation turned ugly in seconds. Angry mobs smashed shop windows and storefronts, while shots rang out from one side, striking Mohammed Shameem Ansari, alias Sheru, in the head and Mohammed Aslam in the leg. Both victims were rushed to the local hospital in critical condition before being transferred to SNMMCH in Dhanbad for advanced treatment.
Authorities responded swiftly. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shrikant Yashwant Vispute, Sadar SDPO Jitwan Urang, and Pachamba police station teams arrived to contain the mayhem. Despite their efforts, the violence highlighted growing concerns over electoral security in Jharkhand’s urban local body polls.
As investigations continue, political leaders from both sides have traded blame, with demands for a thorough probe intensifying. The Election Commission has yet to issue an official statement, but locals fear such incidents could undermine faith in the democratic process. With counting underway, the fallout from this bloody episode looms large over Giridih’s civic future.