Two persons were killed and at least 22 others injured when police opened fire on a mob during a procession to mark Ram Navami at Bishrampur in Palamu district on Friday.
Superintendent of Police, Udayan Kumar Singh, said trouble arose after police prevented a mob from defying prohibitory orders clamped at a long-standing disputed site, Anjan Shahid Memorial, about one km from the Bishrampur police station.
Participants at a peace meeting convened on Thursday had agreed not to take the route where the disputed memorial was situated, he said.
The police first used batons, then used teargas before opening fire.
Deputy Development Commissioner AK Mishra told newsmen that two persons identified as Chotu Sao and Vinod Mahto succumbed to their injuries at the Sadar Hospital, while the condition of another person was critical.
Five other injured persons were referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi for specialised treatment, he added.
In protest against the police firing, the Viswa Hindu Parisad's Palamu unit has called a Palamu bandh on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}In protest against the police firing, the Viswa Hindu Parisad's Palamu unit has called a Palamu bandh on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}