Man killed with sword as New Year revelry turns violent in Hazaribag

Hazaribag: A 30-year-old man was killed, and several others were injured when two groups clashed over playing DJ music at New Year revelry on Thursday. The incident took place at Indrapuri Chowk under Lohsinghna police station limits.

The deceased was identified as Suraj Kumar Rana, a resident of Mandai Khurd village and a father of two.Nishant Kerketta, the officer-in-charge of Lohsinghna police station, on Friday said an FIR has been registered in the case. While Kerketta did not divulge any details about the FIR, he said, “Several men have been detained for questioning, and an investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events. Raids are underway to arrest a few more individuals,” he said.

Kerketta claimed the clash erupted between two groups of taxi drivers.

“Initial probe suggests that there was animosity between the two groups,” he added.Around 10 pm, a few men were dancing to DJ music near Indrapuri Chowk when another group of men, allegedly drunk, arrived at the spot. They demanded that songs be played of their choice. An argument ensued between the two groups, which then turned into a brawl. Suraj, who was in the brawl, was dragged to Red Cross building and thrashed.

Then, he was taken to Lal Kothi Chowk and was attacked with a sword.A police team, which arrived at the spot after being alerted by the locals, took Suraj to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared him dead. The men who attacked Suraj however fled the scene before police arrived. Doctors conducted postmortem on Suraj’s corpse on Friday.Two other men, identified as Kuldeep Soni and Chhotu Gope also sustained injuries and were admitted to a hospital in Ranchi.Family members of the deceased, accompanied by locals, blocked the road on Friday demanding immediate arrest of the assailants. The blockade was cleared in the evening. Additional forces were deployed in the area.