Curfew in Jamshedpur after clashes over molestation incident

Curfew was clamped on Wednesday in Jamshedpur after group clashes over an alleged incident of eve teasing at Mango area on Tuesday night even as Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das appealed for peace.

As tension prevailed, the authorities imposed curfew with immediate effect which will remain in force till further orders in the steel city and peripheral areas, East Singhbhum district Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Kaushal and Senior Superintendent of Police Anup T Mathew told a press conference in Jamshedpur.

The officials said all schools will remain closed on Wednesday.

Altogether six FIRs were lodged during the last 24 hours after the clash broke out between two groups at Mango police station area over the incident.

As many as 150 people were named accused in the FIRs and 103 people were arrested in connection with the clash, they said.

In a related development, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the clash.

Das, who appealed for peace, also directed setting up a two-member committee, which would also comprise the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kolhan) R K Dhan, to look into the incident and take stringent action against the guilty, an official release said here.
Kaushal said the district administration has started working to take action under National Security Act against the perpetrators and conspirators and Geographical mapping of criminals involved are being gathered.

Asked whether the main accused in the alleged eve-teasing incident was arrested, Mathew said no complaint was lodged in this regard as the concerned woman has not approached police in this connection.

To a query about lapses by the police in handling the situation, he said all issues will be examined by the probe team.

Kaushal admitted that the police had lobbed tear gas shells, fired rubber bullets after lathicharge failed to disperse the warring groups.

About reports of any firing in the air, he said the administration did not have any confirmation of it.

At least 10 to 15 armed personnel suffered minor injuries in the melee but there was no report about any injury sustained by the civilians.

He said the district administration was also monitoring and recording provocative posts on Facebook and WhatsApp and the persons posting such post will be considered as conspirators and action will be taken accordingly.
Kaushal said the district administration has started working to take action under National Security Act against the perpetrators and conspirators and Geographical mapping of criminals involved are being gathered.

Asked whether the main accused in the alleged eve-teasing incident was arrested, Mathew said no complaint was lodged in this regard as the concerned woman has not approached police in this connection.

To a query about lapses by the police in handling the situation, he said all issues will be examined by the probe team.

Kaushal admitted that the police had lobbed tear gas shells, fired rubber bullets after lathi-charge failed to disperse the warring groups.

About reports of any firing in the air, he said the administration did not have any confirmation of it.

At least 10 to 15 armed personnel suffered minor injuries in the melee but there was no report about any injury sustained by the civilians.

He said the district administration was also monitoring and recording provocative posts on Facebook and WhatsApp and the persons posting such post will be considered as conspirators and action will be taken accordingly.