Cultural Clash in Patna: Violence Erupts Over Program Inauguration, Police Face Resistance

Patna, 15th November 2023 – After a dispute erupted between two groups over the inauguration of a cultural program in Dhanarua, Patna, heavy firing and clashes ensued. The police detained two youths from one group, leading to an angry confrontation where the crowd obstructed and assaulted the police, freeing one of the detained youths.

On Tuesday, supporters of a local MLA clashed with youths from another group at Pabheri turn on the Patna-Gaya main road under Dhanarua police station. The confrontation, marked by fighting and firing, stemmed from a disagreement over the inauguration of a cultural festival organized the previous day for Diwali.

At Pabheri turn, one group attacked a youth from the opposing faction, triggering further violence and gunfire between the two groups. When the police arrived and attempted to take two youths into custody, the crowd retaliated, throwing stones at the police. Although the crowd was able 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 working to identify and arrest the assailants, with a separate FIR being registered for the attack on the police.

The preceding Monday, 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.

The situation 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.