Ranchi, 15 March

Twenty-two people were arrested for allegedly being involved in a clash during a Holi procession in Jharkhand's Giridih, police said on Saturday.

Several people were injured, and many shops and vehicles torched after the clash broke out between Muslims and Hindus during the procession on Friday in the Ghorthamba.

According to media reports, the incident took place when a Holi procession was passing through a Ghorthambha Chowk. The residents, who belonged to the other community, objected to the procession being taken through the area as there was a mosque nearby. They claimed that Hindus, who were taking out the procession, forcefully entered the lane with the mosque.

The altercation between the two communities turned violent when the particular community started pelting stones. Soon, both sides started pelting stones at each other. 

Khorimahua sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Rajendra Prasad said  four makeshift shops, five motorcycles and two four-wheelers were torched during the clash.

Earlier, Giridih SP Bimal Kumar had said that a manhunt was launched to nab those involved in the clash.

Police personnel in large numbers have also been deployed to maintain peace in the area, he said.

Jharkhand BJP chief and Leader of Opposition in the assembly Babulal Marandi blamed the JMM-led government for the incident.

Union Minister Annapurna Devi claimed that the situation worsened due to a lack of vigilance by the local administration. PTI