Tension gripped Keredari block in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district late last night when a Saraswati idol immersion procession turned violent. Two rival groups clashed fiercely, hurling stones at each other amid the festivities marking the end of Saraswati Puja. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as participants scattered in panic, with the air thick with fear and confusion.
Hazaribagh District Collector Shashiranjn and Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan rushed to the spot upon receiving reports of the disturbance in Beltu village. By late night, heavy police forces were deployed to restore order. The SP confirmed that the situation is now under control and peaceful, though investigations into the trigger remain ongoing.
Local sources revealed that the procession, which had been proceeding smoothly, suddenly escalated into stone pelting. Police personnel, caught in the fray, sustained injuries while trying to pacify the crowds. Additional forces have been stationed across the area, with heightened vigilance to prevent any recurrence.
Despite the incident in Keredari, Saraswati Puja celebrations across Hazaribagh unfolded with great fervor elsewhere. Schools, colleges, and pandals buzzed with devotion as students and youth took out vibrant immersion processions, bidding emotional farewell to Goddess Saraswati with abir-gulal and music. The contrast between the peaceful rituals and the isolated violence underscores the need for community harmony during such religious events.
Authorities are probing the root causes of the clash, urging the public to maintain peace. As Hazaribagh returns to normalcy, the focus remains on ensuring safe celebrations in the future.