In a disturbing turn of events, Patna witnessed a clash between two groups in Dhanarua over the inauguration of a cultural program, resulting in heavy firing and confrontations with the police. The tension escalated to the point where the police detained two youths from one group, triggering an enraged response from the crowd, leading to the release of one of the detainees.
On Tuesday, supporters of a local MLA clashed with youths from another group at Pabheri turn on the Patna-Gaya main road under the jurisdiction of Dhanarua police station. The clash, marked by fighting and firing, originated from a disagreement over the inauguration of a cultural festival organized the previous day in celebration of Diwali.
At Pabheri turn, one group attacked a youth from the opposing faction, sparking further violence and gunfire between the two groups. When the police intervened and attempted to take two youths into custody, the crowd retaliated by pelting stones at the police. Despite the crowd managing to free one youth, the police successfully detained the other, resulting in injuries to four policemen, including the Dhanarua police station chief, a chief representative, and two others due to stone pelting.
Subsequently, Masaurhi ASP Shubham Arya, along with police from multiple stations, arrived to control the situation. The police are now actively working to identify and arrest the assailants, with a separate FIR being registered for the attack on the police.
The conflict unfolded on the preceding Monday when locals organized a cultural program without administrative permission at Pabheri turn during Diwali. One group favored the MLA inaugurating the event, while another supported organizing committee member Shyam Gop.
Tensions escalated when local MLA Rekha Devi inaugurated the program, and Shyam Gop’s supporters, displeased with the turn of events, initiated chaos, resulting in clashes and firing.
The head representative of Devdaha Panchayat, Mithlesh Kumar, intervening in the dispute, sustained a head injury. The police intervened, stopped the program, seized the sound system, and took it to the police station.
Tensions flared further when youths from Shyam Gop’s group were assaulted. On Tuesday evening, Kallu Yadav, along with his associates, reached Pabheri, assaulted Ajay Yadav of Shyam Gop’s group, and triggered firing between the two factions, causing panic in the area.
Dhanarua police station in-charge Rajesh Kumar and his team reached the scene, detaining one of the accused, Guddu Kumar of Makhdumpur. This led to a violent confrontation, with the crowd forcibly freeing Guddu from the police, who then escaped. Four policemen, including Sub Inspector Arvind Kumar and Home Guard jawan Manoj Kumar Singh, were injured in the stone-pelting. Manoj Kumar Singh was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after receiving first aid, and Ajay Yadav of Makhdumpur, seriously injured, was also referred to PMCH.
