SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July1: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in three areas of the Katras police station, around 29 km from here, after bloody clashes between groups of two communities over Toto battery theft.
More than 15 people from both the sides injured in the clash. A police official said 30 people have been detained in the incident so far.
The entire area has been turned into a police camp to check the violence spreading further.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Baghmara Nisha Murmu, under which the disturbed area falls, said that it was a simple incident and now the situation is completely under control. The police would file an FIR after getting complaint.
An eye witness said the members of both the communities resorted to brick –batting, arson and damaged half a dozen vehicles in the clash. The police had to resort to lathi charge on irate mob to control the situation.
However, senior police officers denied that the agitating people were lathi-charged.
The theft of Toto battery of Janardan Yadav, a Kailudih Khatal resident, on Friday night triggered the violence.
On basis of CCTV camera footage Janardan and his son on Saturday suspected a person who along with other persons thrashed them for false charge.
Janardan lodged an FIR in the Katras police station, prompting both the groups clash in Chhatabad area. The clash intensified further in the evening. The rowdy mob of the minority community attacked Kailudih Khatal and damaged several houses before the police took a tough stand.
In the wake of tense situation , the SDM Dhanbad imposed Section 144 in Kailudih, Chhatabad and Akash Kinari area under the Katras police station till further orders.
