18 held so far for Panki violence

Daltonganj: As many as 18 people have been arrested so far in connection with the communal clash in Panki area of Palamu district on February 15. District police have booked 100 named and 1000 unidentified people in this incident.
While normalcy is gradually returning to Panki following restoration of internet services in the district on Sunday, officials said the police are now confronted with scores of people claiming to be innocents as they try hard to dodge arrest.
“A person wanted to show his admit card, claiming he wasn’t a rioter. Another claimed he was a government school teacher and denied involvement during our ongoing probe and visits to the riot-hit area,” said a police personnel.
Palamu SP Chandan Kumar Sinha assured that innocents won’t be harassed. “The innocents need not fear. There will be no coercive action against them. But those who had plunged headlong into the fracas can’t get away. There will be no mercy or clemency for them. The law will take its own course,” Sinha said.
Chatra MP Sunil Kr Singh, too, has demanded that innocent should not be harassed by the police.
“Police have caught a student with admit card. Police have also caught one who was out to attend nature’s call. I hope they aren’t taking action against innocents,” Singh said, adding that police must refrain from committing excesses as it will affect the normalcy in the area.
Palamu DC Anjaneyulu Dodde has meanwhile asked parents to instil a sense of brotherhood among youths and children to prevent rerun of such incidents.
Markets were, meanhile, allowed to open on Monday after four days amid prohibitory orders. The markets have been closed following the clash over erecting a decorative gate on the occasion of Shivratri.
“After continuous improvement in the situation and in view of public needs, the permission to open the market has been given. The decision was taken at the peace committee meeting held on Sunday. However, the deployment of police forces there will continue,” Sinha said.
The SP said prohibitory order will remain in force until the administration realises that the situation has become completely normal.
Several people, including a junior police officer and four constables, were injured in a clash that had broken out between members of two communities over the setting up of the gate.
(With angency inputs)