Ranchi: Communal tensions have risen in Lohardaga’s Valmiki Nagar following an alleged attack by a local Muslim group on members of the Ganesh Pooja committee. The conflict erupted on Thursday, September 5, over a dispute concerning the placement of the Ganesh Pooja Pandal.

The confrontation began when members of the local Muslim community reportedly attacked Pravin Thakur, district head of Yogi Sena, and his associates, who were involved in setting up the Pooja Pandal. Despite initial efforts by both communities, along with police and administrative intervention, to reach a peaceful resolution, the situation escalated after the administration departed. Subsequently, a group of 25-30 people allegedly assaulted Thakur and his team with stones and belts, injuring six individuals.

कांग्रेस-झामुमो की सरकार में हिंदू आस्था पर लगातार प्रहार हो रहा है।

तुष्टीकरण और वोटबैंक के लालच में अंधी हो चुकी हेमंत सरकार धार्मिक अराजकता को बढ़ावा दे रही है।

आज आलम ये है कि इस सनातन विरोधी सरकार में न तो हिंदू सुरक्षित हैं और न ही हिंदुओं के तीज-त्योहार। pic.twitter.com/aNnHUi2vLC

— BJP JHARKHAND (@BJP4Jharkhand) September 6, 2024

Thakur filed a complaint regarding the attack late Thursday night, prompting a counter-complaint from those named by Thakur. In response to the violence, the police conducted a flag march in the area on Friday evening, September 6, and vowed to take strict action against those responsible for disrupting public order.

Hindu activists in the region have expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the situation and have threatened a Bandh (shutdown) if police actions are deemed insufficient. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the primary opposition, criticized the Congress-JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) government on social media, accusing it of endangering Hindu festivals and sentiments.

Currently, the Pooja Pandal has been relocated slightly from its original spot, and the administration is maintaining close surveillance. The Ganesh Pooja celebration, a tradition in the area for around four decades, is set to begin on Saturday, September 8.

SP MP Awadhesh Prasad's Night Visit to Rape Victim's Family Sparks Local Outrage

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: Valmiki Community to Vote for the First Time Since Independence

Amish Tripathi Debunks Claim That India Is a 'British Creation' with Hard Facts