Jharkhand has recorded highest number of communal conflicts during last year. After Jamshedpur violence in July 2015, again Jharkhand simmered with tension on Oct 24, 15. Communal violence occurred in Hazaribag, Palamu and Latehar districts.
Violence and Vandalism are also reported from Chhatarpur (Palamu district) and Latehar which started on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 and spilled over the next day. People from both the communities were injured.
The latest communal clashes sparked – off during Dashera and Muharrum festivals which coincided this year. All the left parties feel that all those incidents were pre-planned.
In Hazaribagh one minority youth (35 years), Bahadur Sheikh, a daily labourer, was shot dead by police and several others were injured.
On Oct. 26, a Delegation of left parties, comprising of State Secretary, Leaders of State & Hazaribag and Koderma District Secretaries of CPI(M), State Secretary including former MP of the area and others from CPI, leaders of CPI(ML), Marxist Co-ordination Committee and SUCI(C), visited the spot of Firing in Hazaribagh, met the family members of the victim and the affected villagers.
The Delegation also met the Divisional Commissioner of North Chotanagpur, Mrs. Bina Srivastava at Hazaribag.
The delegation expressed serious concern over the role of the administration.
The Commissioner also shared the view of the delegation that the District Administration should have taken proper precautionary measures.
The local SDO has lodged FIR citing that Insus Rifles and AK-47 were used by the police and 15 rounds were fired. In the FIR the SDO has stated that the people from minority group attacked an adjacent temple & some police persons were injured due to pelting of stones. 28 minority people have been named in the FIR. It is surprising that the District Administration did not respond to the apprehension expressed over telephone by the former Member of Parliament of the area & CPI leader on the day of incident regarding gathering of mob in the premises of the adjacent temple”
The villagers complained regarding police atrocities at night in minority areas.
The delegation condemned the role of the administration and demanded – A Judicial enquiry into the incidents of Hazaribagh by sitting Judge of High Court and punishment of those responsible, immediate restoration of peace and harmony, transfer of the Deputy Commissioner and Supdt. of Police – as they did not take precautionary measures inspite of prior apprehension expressed to them by the former MP of CPI. Compensation for the victims and free treatment of the injured has also been demanded.
A press conference has been addressed by the leaders at Hazaribagh.
Left parties have sought time of the Chief Minister for meeting a delegation.