Muharram chaos in Ujjain: Procession horse used to break barricades, 5 cops injured

Five police personnel were injured on Sunday during a Muharram procession in Ujjain district after a barricade fell on them while trying to control a large crowd. The incident took place near the Khajurwadi Masjid, where participants of the procession allegedly tried to enter a restricted route, causing chaos and clashing with the police, Hindustan Times reported.

According to the police, the tension began when the procession horse was deliberately driven into the police barricades placed to block the way. A video of the incident that later went viral shows a massive crowd pushing towards the prohibited route.

Police officials said they had to use batons (lathi charge) to bring the situation under control after some members of the crowd became aggressive and began clashing with the officers.

Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma stated that the route for the Muharram procession had been finalised well in advance, and the organisers were clearly told not to take horses through certain areas.

"Yesterday, on the ninth night of Muharram, the entire procession was taken out peacefully. In this regard, continuous meetings were held with the organisers. Everyone was instructed to take out the procession on the fixed route. Despite this, an organiser attempted to cross the barricades and lead the procession in the wrong direction. Some policemen were injured as the barricades fell. Police used a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. A case has been registered and action will be taken as per the facts,” ANI quoted Sharma as saying.

Five injured police personnel were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Khuman Singh Kelwa, Head Constables Mukesh Munia, Anil Sisodia, Chandrapal, and Constable Shyam Singh. They were taken to the district hospital for first aid, according to Vivek Kanodia, Station House Officer (SHO) of Jiwajiganj.

Following the incident, 16 people, including the organisers of the procession, have been booked under serious charges like rioting, unlawful assembly, and obstructing public servants from doing their duties. SHO Kanodia said the horse involved belonged to a man named Irfan alias Lalla, a resident of Begum Bagh.

In a separate tragic incident in Jharkhand’s Giridih district, one person lost his life and three others were injured when a Muharram procession accidentally came into contact with a high-tension electricity wire, HT reported.