Music-related clash claims life of young man in Hazaribagh

Hazaribagh: A dispute over music late on Thursday night turned deadly in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district, where a 30-year-old man was brutally killed following a violent clash, police officials said.

The incident occurred at around 9 p.m. at Indrapuri Chowk, a crowded area of the city. The deceased, Suraj Kumar Rana, was a resident of Madai Khurd and worked as a tiles and marble mason.

Police said the trouble began when a group of youths returning from a picnic got into an argument over playing music. The verbal altercation soon escalated into physical violence, during which Suraj was allegedly dragged towards the Red Cross building and attacked.

Witnesses told police that the assailants repeatedly assaulted him and later dragged him to Lal Kothi Chowk, where he was allegedly struck with a sword, causing grievous injuries.

After being informed by local residents, police reached the spot and rushed the severely injured man to Sadar Hospital. Doctors declared him dead at around 11 p.m.

The killing led to widespread panic and anger in Indrapuri Chowk and nearby localities, as residents gathered in large numbers at the spot and outside the hospital. Police have cordoned off the area, collected forensic evidence, and initiated a detailed investigation.

Officials said initial findings point to a personal dispute behind the murder, though the exact sequence of events is still being verified. Several suspects have been taken into custody, and police teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to nab the accused. Additional forces have been deployed to prevent any law and order issues.

Suraj Kumar Rana, married for the past five years, was the sole earning member of his family. He is survived by his wife and two minor children.

With inputs from IANS