BJP, JMM workers clash in Jharkhand

Seven people, including two policemen, were injured Saturday in clashes here between BJP and JMM cadres over the booing of Chief Minister Hemant Soren at an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hundreds of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists gathered near Hinoo Chowk and Birsa Chowk, to protest the arrival of union Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to lay the foundation stone of a hospital in Jamshedpur.

Tomar's vehicle was stopped near Hinoo Chowk, following which Bharatiya Janata Party activists clashed with JMM workers.

Five JMM workers were injured along with two policemen, a police officer said. FIRs have been lodged by both the parties against each other's workers.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has appealed to maintain calm.

The JMM was protesting the heckling of Soren during an event attended by Modi Aug 21. BJP workers had shouted slogans in favour of Modi when Soren was addressing the gathering.

"The BJP workers attacked us. We were protesting as per our announced programme," JMM worker Antu Tirkey told reporters.

After the Aug 21 heckling incident, the JMM had announced it will not allow entry of any central minister into the state.

The JMM called shutdown in Ranchi Sunday to protest the incident. "Our party has called shutdown in Ranchi Sunday and a black day will observed to protest the incident," said Vinod Pandey, JMM general secretary, told reporters.

Meanwhile, the BJP has termed the incident unfortunate.

"In democratic system, protest should be done in a peaceful way. The sopping of vehicle of the central minister cannot be justified. The minister was here to given something to the state," said Ranchi legislator and BJP leader C.P. Singh.