The state capital witnessed violence on Tuesday when police opened fire, used rubber bullets, water-cannon and lathi-charged a mob protesting against demolition of buildings and bustees at Islamnagar. The locality, in the heart of the city, has around 700 houses with about 20,000 residents.
One person was killed in police firing and two others with serious injuries were transferred from the government hospital to a private nursing home. Some policemen also received injuries. A few vehicles were also set on fire. The administration promulgated section-144, CrPC, in the city.
Some Muslim organisations had called bandh on Tuesday as a protest against the anti-encroachment drive. The bandh was complete in some parts of the city.
Ranchi district administration, under orders of the Jharkhand High Court, has started anti-encroachment drive. During Tuesday’s drive half a dozen bulldozers were used to pull down unauthorised structures in Islamnagar.
Police arrested Union tourism minister and MP from Ranchi, Subodh Kant Sahay, Ranchi's mayor Roma Khalko and Congress workers on Tuesday for staging dharna against the anti-encroachment drive.