Two killed in separate Ram Navami procession attacks in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag

NEW DELHI: Two 21-year-old men were allegedly hacked to death during separate Ram Navami processions around midnight at Jhanda Chowk in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag district, police said, with both victims later succumbing to their injuries at hospital and no arrests made so far.The deceased have been identified as Prince Kumar, a resident of Silwar village, and Abhishek Kumar from Bada Bazzar Gwaltoli. Both were participants in the religious processions when they were attacked in the Town police station area.Prince Kumar was brought to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital after being assaulted with a sharp-edged weapon but died during treatment. “The victim was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon and was brought to the trauma centre of the hospital, but he died during treatment,” SBMCH Superintendent A K Purty said.In a separate incident at the same location, Abhishek Kumar was attacked by an unidentified assailant during another procession. “Abhishek Kumar was hacked to death by an unidentified man during a Ram Navami procession on Saturday. He was rushed to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) for treatment, where doctors declared him dead on arrival,” said Sadar Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Amit Anand.Both incidents took place during different processions passing through Jhanda Chowk around midnight, officials said.Police have launched an investigation into the killings, though no arrests have been made so far, the SDPO added.