Patna, June 27: Several incidents, including electrocution, a fatal stabbing, and clashes during Muharram processions, were reported from different parts of Bihar on Friday, prompting heightened security arrangements in several districts.

Three youths sustained severe burn injuries after coming into contact with live electric wires during a Muharram Tazia procession in Dhandhar village under the Wazirganj police station area of Gaya district.

The injured have been identified as Mohammad Asgar, Mohammad Kamaluddin, and Mohammad Umar Ali.

All three belong to Bhareti village. Mohammad Asgar is reported to be in critical condition and has been referred to a higher medical centre for specialised treatment, while the other two are undergoing treatment at a local health facility.

Following the incident, electricity supply along the route was immediately disconnected, and police officials reached the spot to restore order.

The procession, which was briefly halted, later resumed peacefully.

Station House Officer of Wazirganj Police Station, Neeraj Kumar, stated that the injured youths were receiving treatment and that no further untoward incident occurred.

Local residents, however, expressed concern over the presence of low-hanging power lines along the procession route and demanded greater precautions in the future.

In another incident, a youth identified as Md. Javed, a resident of Gopalpur village, died after being stabbed during a Muharram gathering at Bhutta Chowk under the Kalyanpur police station area in Samastipur district.

According to preliminary investigations, an altercation reportedly broke out between two individuals during an akhada performance.

The dispute allegedly continued away from the procession site, where the victim was stabbed.

Police suspect that an earlier dispute between the two individuals may have led to the incident.

Sadar DSP-II Sanjay Kumar stated that the accused has been identified and police teams are conducting raids to apprehend him.

A separate incident occurred at Karbala Maidan near Jogbani in Araria district, close to the Indo-Nepal border.

A Tazia procession arriving from the Rani area of Nepal sought to join the Indian procession.

Security personnel reportedly denied entry due to law-and-order concerns, after which tensions escalated.

Reports of stone-pelting led to panic and temporary chaos in the area.

Some shops were damaged, although authorities have not officially confirmed injuries to any individual.

Police and security agencies, including the SSB, deployed additional forces to the sensitive border area and restored normalcy.

Jogbani SHO Mahadev Kamat stated that investigations are underway and that legal action will be taken against those found responsible.

Authorities have increased security arrangements in several districts, including Gaya, Araria, Muzaffarpur, Patna, and Katihar, following reports of isolated disturbances during Muharram observances.

Police and administrative officials have appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading or believing rumours circulating on social media.

The administration has also indicated that preventive measures, particularly regarding crowd management and electrical safety along procession routes, will be reviewed to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Ahmedabad, June 26: The Ahmedabad Police arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly absconded from court after being sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in a case involving offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, rape and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, officials said on Friday.

According to the Local Crime Branch (Zone-7), the accused, identified as Sultan alias Manoj Kumar, a resident of Fatehwadi area in Ahmedabad, was apprehended on Thursday evening during a special drive launched ahead of the annual Rath Yatra to trace absconding offenders and strengthen preventive policing.

“The city police commissioner and the joint commissioner of police had directed a coordinated operation to locate wanted and convicted offenders, particularly those involved in serious crimes, to help maintain law and order and ensure public safety during the festival,” officials said.

Acting on these instructions, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma instructed police stations and the LCB to prepare a special action plan using human Intelligence and technical inputs to trace absconding accused.

The breakthrough came while Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela and his team were patrolling the Zone-7 area.

Police said Head Constables Nashrullakhan and Mahendrasinh, along with Police Constable Irfan, received specific Intelligence that led to the arrest of the accused, who had allegedly fled from the court of the Seventh Additional District and Sessions Judge in Ahmedabad (Rural), after being sentenced.

The accused faces conviction under Sections 363, 366, 376(2)(N), 419 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 4, 5(L), 6 and 8 of the POCSO Act and Sections 3(2), 3(5-A) and 3(2)(5) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The arrest follows other recent efforts by Gujarat police to track down fugitives. Earlier this week, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested a life convict in the 1992 Radhika Gymkhana massacre case who had allegedly remained on the run for nearly seven years after jumping parole.

Last month, authorities also launched a manhunt after a convict serving sentences in murder and POCSO cases escaped from Sabarmati Central Jail before being traced.

Srinagar, June 26: Thousands of Shia Muslim mourners joined the 10th Muharram procession on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city.

The procession started at Bota Kadal and will end in the Zadibal area of the city. Beating their chests and chanting elegies for Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, mourners moved in a highly disciplined manner as authorities had made fervent appeals for discipline, communal harmony, and maintaining the sanctity of the occasion.

A multi-layer security grid has been established with deployment of police, CRPF and other security personnel, while drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring are being used to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, police said.

Meanwhile, in view of the large gathering, Srinagar Police had issued a detailed public advisory urging mourners and the general public to observe Muharram with peace, dignity and discipline.

According to the advisory, participants had been asked to maintain communal harmony, follow all directions issued by the administration and police authorities, cooperate with traffic police and volunteers for smooth movement, ensure that the procession remains confined to the permitted route and purpose, respect the religious sentiments and beliefs of all communities, and protect public and government property while maintaining cleanliness.

Police had also advised the public not to indulge in any unlawful activity or create any law and order situation, not to raise provocative slogans or make inflammatory speeches, not to obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement, and not to damage or misuse public property.

The advisory further said that people should not display provocative banners, posters, placards or flags; should not disrespect the National Flag or glorify any country, organisation or group, and should not carry or display flags or symbols of any country, organisation or group.

It also cautioned against engaging in any activity detrimental to the integrity, sovereignty and unity of the nation.

Srinagar Police appealed to all mourners and citizens to extend full cooperation, stating that public participation and responsible conduct would ensure a peaceful and dignified observance of Youm-e-Ashura.

10th Muharram, also called ‘Youm-e-Ashura’, is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in Karbala at the hands of Umayyad Caliph, Yezid’s army.

The martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, occurred on October 10, 680 CE (10 Muharram 61 AH) at the Battle of Karbala. He was killed by the army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid after he refused to pledge allegiance to a corrupt and unjust ruler.

The tragic event is a defining moment in Islamic history, symbolising the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of truth and standing against tyranny.

In deference to the sentiments of Muslims, 10th Muharram is a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir.