One person was killed, while five others were injured after clashes broke out between two communities in Chando village and its vicinity in Jharkhand's Palamu district, over idol immersion route. Prohibitory order under Section 144 Crpc were also imposed in the area, said a senior police official.
"Arguments broke out when a group of people objected to the route being taken by a religious procession for idol immersion. The situation turned volatile when the tractor, loaded with idols, rammed into a wall and overturned as the driver tried to move ahead, despite the protests," he said.
According to Palamu Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Kumar Agrahari, the deceased was a friend of the tractor driver that was carrying idols for immersion to a nearby ghat on Dashami.
He succumbed to his injuries Saturday morning at Medininagar Sadar Hospital, where five others, including three policemen, are currently undergoing treatment, Agrahari added.
Half-a-dozen vehicles have been ransacked and three shops in the area have been set on fire, said Superintendent of Police Indrajeet Mahatha, who is currently camping at the village along with Agrahari.
Police had to fire six rounds in the air to disperse the members of the two groups, he added.
"Six people have been detained in connection with the incident and adequate security forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order," he said.
Senior citizens of both the communities have also been urged by the district administration, to help them restore peace in the area, said Mahatha.
"The situation is well under control now and the police have decided to take strong action against miscreants who try to foment trouble in the region," he added.
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