Late-night violence overshadowed Saraswati Puja’s finale in Hazaribagh’s Keredari area, where a procession in Beltu village became the epicenter of stone pelting and group clashes. The outburst shattered the serene atmosphere, sparking widespread alarm.
Senior officials, DC Shashiranjn and SP Anjani Anjan, hurried to the location, orchestrating a robust police buildup. By the small hours, tranquility was restored, as per the SP’s update, with forces on high alert.
The procession’s route turned volatile without warning, leading to frantic dispersals and casualties—including to police trying to intervene. Local accounts describe a scene of utter disarray before order was imposed.
Bolstering security, the district has intensified surveillance and stationed additional troops. Elsewhere, Hazaribagh’s celebrations radiated joy: throngs of students paraded idols with fanfare, applying abir-gulal in spirited goodbyes after morning rituals in pandals and campuses.
Amid the probe into the clash’s origins, calls for calm resonate strongly. This incident underscores the imperative for proactive measures in managing crowds during religious immersions. Hazaribagh aims to heal divides, fostering unity for upcoming traditions.