BJP, JMM workers clash in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Aug 23 (IANS) Five people and two policemen were on Saturday injured in clashes here between BJP and JMM activists over the booing of Chief Minister Hemant Soren during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said.

Hundreds of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists gathered near the airport, at 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.

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