Poll clash chaos: Two injured in firing after Giridih municipal voting; stone-pelting, protests erupt as officials rush to control tension

Bokaro: Tension gripped Giridih late Monday evening after violence erupted soon after the conclusion of voting for the municipal elections in Ward No 18 under the nagar police station. Two people sustained bullet injuries in the firing and are currently undergoing treatment at the sadar hospital. The injured have been identified as Md Aslam Ansari and Samim Ansari.

Locals said the firing took place between Jhinjhari Mohalla and Azad Nagar. The injured claimed that a dispute over a vote had broken out in the morning, prompting the intervention of the SDM and the DSP, who managed to pacify the situation. However, tensions flared up again in the evening when another altercation reportedly escalated, resulting in the gunfire.

The incident triggered chaos in the area, with a large crowd assembling near the Bhandaridih intersection on the road to Chaitadih. Protesters raised slogans against the police and allegedly pelted stones at a passing police vehicle. Two youths were also assaulted by the angry locals.

Giridih SP Bimal Kumar rushed to sadar hospital to assess the condition of the injured and directed officials to take swift action. DC Ramniwas Yadav confirmed that two groups had clashed after the polling ended and said further investigation was underway. Senior officials continued to camp in the area to prevent further escalation of tension.