Section 144 imposed in Jamshedpur over Ram Navami flag desecration

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in Jamshedpur on Monday after two groups clashed over the alleged desecration of a Ram Navami flag. Bricks were thrown between two groups, two shops and an auto-rickshaw were set on fire at Shastrinagar, following which police fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob, a PTI report said.

Following the violence, security forces conducted a flag march in Kadma police station area. Meanwhile, mobile internet has also been temporarily suspeded.

An adequate police force has been deployed in Shastrinagar under the Kadma police station to maintain law and order. "Prohibitory Orders under Section 144 of CrPC were clamped in the area," said Sub-Divisional Officer (Dhalbhum), Piyush Sinha, as quoted by PTI.

According to police, tension had been brewing in the area since Saturday night when members of a local organisation found that a piece of meat was tagged to a Ram Navami flag, police said.

The situation turned violent on Sunday evening when a shop was gutted, leading to brick-batting from both sides.

. SSP Prabhat Kumar said adequate police force has been deployed at Shastrinagar to maintain law and order. "The situation is under control and the warring groups have been dispersed... We have also taken a few persons into custody," he said.

East Singhbhum District Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav said some anti-social elements are trying to disturb peace, and sought the cooperation of people to foil their plot.

"We have been keeping strict vigil on the situation and deployed adequate police force, a Quick Response Team, a Magistrate, Rapid Action Force personnel and other anti-riot resources to maintain law and order," she mentioned in a statement, as per PTI.