New year music dispute turns fatal, man hacked to death in Hazaribagh

Hazaribagh: A dispute over playing music on New Year’s Day escalated into brutality in Hazaribagh on Thursday night, resulting in the murder of a 30-year-old man. Police officials confirmed on Friday that the victim was allegedly attacked with a sword following an altercation with a group of youths.

The incident occurred around 9 pm at Indrapuri Chowk, a busy locality in the city. The deceased has been identified as Suraj Kumar Rana, a resident of Madai Khurd who worked as a tiles and marble mason.

According to eyewitnesses and family members, the conflict began when Rana got into an argument regarding loud music with a group of young men who were returning from a picnic. The verbal exchange quickly turned violent, and the group forcibly dragged Rana to an area near the Red Cross building.

Witnesses reported that the attackers brutally assaulted the victim before dragging him towards Lal Kothi Chowk, where he was allegedly struck with a sword, sustaining critical injuries.

Alerted by local residents, police rushed the profusely bleeding victim to Sadar Hospital. Despite emergency efforts, doctors declared him dead around 11 pm.

Police have since secured the area and sent the body for a post-mortem examination. While preliminary investigations suggest the murder stemmed from the immediate dispute, authorities are probing all potential angles. A police official stated that several suspects have been detained for questioning, and raids are underway at suspected hideouts to trace and arrest the accused.

Additional forces have been deployed in Indrapuri Chowk and surrounding areas to maintain law and order following panic among residents.

Rana was the sole breadwinner for his family. Married five years ago, he is survived by his wife and two young children.

(Inputs from IANS)