Ranchi violence: Police opened fire at protesters as ‘last resort’, says administration

Days after the violence that broke out in Ranchi, the Deputy Commissioner said that police opened fire at the protesters as it was the last resort.

Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi Chhavi Ranjan, on Sunday, June 12, said that the police opened fire at the protesters as it was the last resort. “It was needed to control and disperse the mob because it was the last resort,” he said. He claimed to have followed the SOP strictly but, under the unavoidable circumstances, the magistrate had to take a strict decision to open fire.

After Friday prayers, a procession by the Muslim community against the statements made by Nupur Sharma turned into a violent clash as they reached the nearby Hanuman temple.

The police prevented the protesters from moving forward, and the situation turned from bad to worse as protesters resorted to pelting stones.

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The situation deteriorated to such an extent that the police had to fire in the air and also fire tear gas shells. Two people also died as a result of the violence.

The Ranchi administration had imposed section 144 in several areas of the capital city. RAF, ATS, STF, and local police have been deployed to monitor the situation.

Jharkhand | Police deployment continues in the wake of violence that broke out in Ranchi as Section 144 is imposed pic.twitter.com/OMHUF2nqI2