Over 12,000, including Jharkhand BJP chief, booked in Ranchi following BJYM rally clash

The Jharkhand Police have registered an FIR against over 12,051 individuals, including 51 who have been specifically identified, following a violent clash between Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) members and police personnel during a rally in Ranchi. Among those named in the FIR are several prominent BJP leaders, including Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi, Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, Union Minister Sanjay Seth, and former Union Minister Arjun Munda.

Details of the FIR

The FIR was lodged at Ranchi's Lalpur police station on Saturday, based on a statement provided by a magistrate present at the scene. Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chandan Kumar Sinha confirmed the registration of the FIR, stating that swift action will be taken against those involved. Lalpur police station in-charge Rupesh Kumar Singh also confirmed that the FIR includes charges against 12,000 unnamed individuals, along with the 51 specifically identified.

BJP Protests Police Actions

In response to the police action, BJP workers staged protests on Saturday at district headquarters and police stations across the state. These demonstrations were in reaction to the scuffle that broke out on Friday during a BJYM rally. The rally was organised to protest against the perceived "injustice" by the Hemant Soren government and its alleged failure to fulfil election promises. The situation escalated when BJYM workers attempted to break through police barricades, leading to a violent confrontation.

Section 163 Imposed

To manage the situation, the police resorted to using tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Both the police and protesters reported injuries. Following the incident, the district administration imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which is the updated version of Section 144 of the CrPC, within a 500-meter radius of the Morabadi Ground, the rally's location. The prohibitory orders banned public gatherings, meetings, and demonstrations within this perimeter from 11 am to 11 pm on Friday.