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The Hindu
The Hindu
National
PTI

Prohibitory orders issued in parts of Ranchi following protests against Prophet remarks

Prohibitory orders were imposed in parts of Ranchi after some policemen and others were injured on Friday while trying to control a mob near a temple, an official said.

The incident occurred after protests erupted with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

"Few policemen have been injured. We are looking into the situation. We are reinforcing deployment," a senior police official told PTI.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, (prohibiting gathering of five or more people) has been imposed in an around the affected area, the official said.

Ranchi Deputy Commissioner, Chhavi Ranjan told PTI "The prohibitory order is applicable on 500 metres of both sides of the main road from Albert Ekka Chowk to Sujata Chowk near overbridge”. Asked about the number of policemen and persons injured in the incident, the DC said the exact number is being ascertained.

Meanwhile drone surveillance is being done in the affected area to keep an eye on the miscreants.

A large crowd of people gathered on Main Road shouting slogans against Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP's media unit.

Heavy security deployment has been made to manage the situation and avoid any untoward incident.

According to police officials, the protest have been continuing since morning and picked up tempo post-Friday prayers. Many shops and establishments kept their shutters down in protest against the remarks.

The protestors demanded immediate arrest of Ms. Sharma raising slogans.

"More than 1,100 shops in the market were shut since morning in protest against remarks of Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal. We demand their immediate arrest," New Daily Market Traders Welfare Association President Haji Md Hasim told PTI.

Hasim said they wanted a peaceful procession but police didn't give permission. "So we are protesting peacefully outside our shops here," he said.

The row over the alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated on Sunday with protests from countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran, prompting the BJP to take action against its functionaries and assert that it respects all religions.

As the row intensified within the country and abroad, the BJP on Sunday suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Jindal.

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