Gram Sabha Orders Marriage in Purni Sarjamda; Police Van Blocked by Angry Villagers
Key Points:
- Youth Sanjid Bari alleges gram sabha forced him to marry at gunpoint
- Villagers block police vehicle, sit on bonnet; DSP rushes with extra force
- Couple and several villagers taken to Parsudih police station for questioning
JAMSHEDPUR – A gram sabha ruling over a couple seen together triggered a major confrontation in Purni Sarjamda village under Parsudih police station limits on Monday, with a youth alleging he was beaten up and forced into marriage against his will.
The episode began on Sunday. Village resident Sanjid Bari and Sonia Karua, also from the same locality, had gone out together. However, Sonia’s brother spotted them and informed the family and the village Majhi Baba.
A gram sabha was convened soon after. According to the youth’s account, the village council decided to solemnise the two in marriage on the spot. Moreover, he claimed that when he resisted, he was physically assaulted by the villagers.
Sanjid alleged he was forcibly made to fill sindoor in Sonia’s hair against his wishes. He further stated that the two were merely acquaintances and denied any romantic involvement.
On the other hand, Sonia told a different story. She said the two had been in contact for four months. In addition, she stated she willingly wished to live with Sanjid.
When Parsudih police arrived to take both to the station, villagers and the Majhi Baba turned hostile. A heated argument broke out between the police and the crowd.
As officers tried to move the couple in their vehicle, villagers surrounded the police van entirely. Several young men climbed onto the bonnet and blocked the road, bringing the vehicle to a halt.
The situation worsened rapidly. DSP Sumit Kumar arrived at the scene with additional police personnel. Officers from both Parsudih and Sundarnagar police stations were deployed to restore order.
However, during the commotion, the crowd pulled the couple out of the police vehicle. Police subsequently intervened and took both individuals back into safe custody.
The incident is reminiscent of earlier gram sabha interventions in personal matters that have drawn police attention in the region. In Jamshedpur, such cases of extrajudicial community verdicts have surfaced intermittently.
Along with the couple, several men and women allegedly involved in misbehaving with police personnel were brought to the police station for questioning. Investigations are ongoing, and police said legal action would follow after examining all aspects of the matter.
