India: Violent incident in Jharkhand state on May 19

Event

Four people were killed and at least six others were injured in a shootout and a retaliatory attack that took place in Garhwa district in eastern Jharkhand state on Friday, May 19. The shootout ensued after villagers attempted to prevent a sand contractor from lifting sand from a ghat – a set of stairs in a holy riverside city that lead to the river. At least 21 vehicles were set on fire by angry villagers; the contractors opened fire, killing three people. In retaliation, the villagers attacked and killed one contract employee.

Context

Sand is vital for India’s booming construction industry, but sand mining is illegal in India as it destroys beaches and riverbeds. Sand mining is controlled by an extensive network of illegal mining organizations.

Advice

Individuals in Jharkhand state are advised to monitor the situation and to avoid the area of the clashes.

As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the west of Jammu and Kashmir state and against all travel to the border region with Pakistan (direct vicinity of the Line of Control) due to the high threat of terrorism.