Communal clashes in Jharkhand: Section 144 continues in Palamu

In light of the prevailing communal tension in the town, the Jharkhand government's department of home, prison, and disaster management issued a notice announcing a 24-hour suspension of internet services on February 15.

The Jharkhand administration in Palamu's Panki said section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits the assembly of four or more people in an area, continues to be in place, following communal clashes.

"Section 144 will remain in force for a few days now. Internet service will also remain closed for 2 days," said Anjaneyulu Dodde, DC Palamu.

"Positive discussions held with both groups. There was a good response from them. We are controlling the situation in a balanced manner. The situation will become normal in the next 1 to 2 days. 2 FIRs were filed while 11 have been arrested. 30-40 have been named," said IG Palamu.

Flag march by para-military forces police in Jharkhand's Panki town

Para-military forces and Palamu district police staged a flag march in riot-affected Panki town in Jharkhand, the scene of a clash over the erection of a gate for the coming Shivratri festival.

The flag march was staged on late on Wednesday night to instill confidence in the people and the situation in the town though tense is now well under control, Inspector General (Palamu range) Raj Kumar Lakra said.

A fight between two groups from different communities in Panki town, which is in the Palamu district of Jharkhand, resulted in the suspension of internet access on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.

In light of the prevailing communal tension in the town, the Jharkhand government's department of home, prison, and disaster management issued a notice announcing a 24-hour suspension of internet services on February 15.

The department of home, prison and disaster management said in a notice that it was expedient to suspend the internet services in Palamu to prevent its use by miscreants in spreading rumours, which may disturb the law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Jharkhand High Court against the imposition of Section 144 in Deoghar and the change in the route of Shiv Baraat ahead of the Mahashivratri festival.