Daijiworld Media Network - Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh, Apr 11: Tension gripped Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh city on Friday morning following the brutal murder of a 25-year-old youth, identified as Prabhat Kumar, in the Khirgaon locality. The incident triggered widespread outrage, leading to a road blockade and protest by local residents.
According to police sources, Prabhat, a resident of the Bara Bazar police station limits, had gone out on a scooter with his friend Krishna on Thursday evening. Later that night, the family was informed that he had been found critically injured in Bakar Gali, Khirgaon, with a deep head wound allegedly inflicted by a sharp-edged weapon.
He was rushed to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital in Hazaribagh and later referred to RIMS, Ranchi. However, he succumbed to his injuries en route.
The news of his death sparked public anger on Friday, with locals staging a protest and blocking the road at Namaskar Chowk for nearly two hours. The agitators demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and financial assistance for the bereaved family.
The situation remained tense as the protest disrupted vehicular movement in the area. Senior district officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and police personnel, reached the spot and pacified the crowd, assuring strict action against those responsible. The body was sent for post-mortem examination.
Following the unrest, additional police forces were deployed in the area to prevent any further flare-up.
During initial interrogation, Krishna told police that Prabhat had asked him to drop him near Bakar Gali for personal work, promising to return soon. However, before he could come back, he received news of Prabhat being found unconscious and severely injured.
The Bara Bazar police station in-charge confirmed that investigations are underway. “We are probing all angles. The friend is being questioned, and efforts are on to identify and nab the assailants,” he said.
Family members said that Prabhat had returned home on leave and was set to resume work in another state on Friday. He was the sole earning member of the family.