Controversy erupts over planned cultural program on Chhath festival, Administration inaction adds grist to the mill
Jamshedpur: Supporters of Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy former MLA and ex-Chief Minister Raghubar Das clashed Friday evening on Sidhgora Surya Mandir premises over differences on holding a cultural programme on Chhath festival. At least 5 persons were injured in the clash that saw a no-holds-barred physical tussle between the supporters of both camps.
The differences were simmering between the two camps for the last few days over organising a cultural programme to mark the Chhath festival.
The differences turned into an ugly clash on Friday.
Soon after the clash, a police contingent was deployed there and the situation remains tense.
During the clashes, there was a free for all as chairs were thrown at one another and tents were torn apart.
The administration and the police were simply absent and nowhere to be found when the melee broke out.
The chronoloy of the clash goes like this.
A few supporters of Saryu Roy had set up a camp for Chhath Vratis on Sidgora Surya Mandir premises. However, their camp was adjacent to the venue where Raghubar Das supporters were stationed.
There was palpable tension on both sides since morning.
In the evening, suddenly some people came inside and uprooted Saryu Roy camp’s tent. They also threw chairs freely. And this resulted in a free-for-all melee and fisticuff.
It may be added here that an application was made on behalf of Raghubar Das faction to organize a cultural programme at Surya Mandir on Chhath.
On the other hand, there was also an application from the supporters of MLA Saryu Roy to JNACfor holding a camp for devotees.
When the administration did not show much interest in their differences, both groups took initiative to hold their respective programs on their own.
Meanwhile Saryu Roy faction also put up its tent.
After this, the matter precipitated the differences.
During this development, Chandragupta Singh supported Raghubar Das camp who favours holding a cultural program on the grounds that it was already planned for.
