Mob Fury Erupts in Ranchi: Police Station Vandalized, Officer Injured Amid Custody Death Protests

Ranchi, Jharkhand: A wave of palpable rage engulfed the city of Ranchi, Jharkhand, on Friday evening as an furious mob launched a violent assault on a local police station. The shocking incident, stemming from allegations surrounding the custody death of a man, left at least one police officer gravely injured, the station ransacked, and vehicles ablaze, casting a dark shadow over law and order in the region.

The epicentre of the chaos was the Dhurwa police station, which bore the brunt of the mob's fury.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter pandemonium as hundreds converged, brandishing sticks and stones, seemingly intent on destruction. The protest quickly escalated into widespread vandalism, with property damaged both inside and outside the station premises. Several police vehicles, symbols of authority, were set on fire, their charred remains serving as stark reminders of the evening's intensity.

In the thick of the melee, Officer-in-charge Lalan Thakur sustained serious injuries, highlighting the extreme danger faced by law enforcement personnel.

His condition underscored the brutal nature of the attack, which overwhelmed the police contingent initially present.

The catalyst for this explosive outburst was the alleged custody death of Mohammad Ramzan, a man who had been arrested just hours earlier in connection with a land dispute. Family members of the deceased swiftly gathered, their grief quickly morphing into outrage as they accused the police of torture, claiming Ramzan was subjected to brutal treatment while in detention.

Their cries for justice resonated with a growing crowd, igniting the spark that led to the violence.

Conversely, police authorities have vehemently denied the allegations of torture. Senior officials stated that Ramzan was arrested and subsequently fell ill, collapsing within the police station.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, citing a heart attack as the cause of demise. This conflicting narrative between the family's accusations and the police's explanation has only fuelled the public's anger and mistrust.

To quell the escalating unrest, police resorted to firing several rounds in the air and deploying tear gas shells to disperse the agitated crowd.

Despite these measures, the situation remained tense for hours, requiring significant reinforcements to finally bring the area under control. A high alert has been declared across the city, with security significantly beefed up in sensitive zones.

Senior police and administrative officials, including Ranchi SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha and Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar Sinha, rushed to the scene to assess the damage and oversee the unfolding crisis.

An extensive investigation into both the alleged custody death of Mohammad Ramzan and the subsequent mob violence has been launched, promising a thorough probe into the events that shook the capital. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the volatile relationship between community and law enforcement, especially when allegations of misconduct surface, demanding transparency and accountability from all parties involved.