RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR: Several Muslims in Ranchi and Jamshedur wore black bands while offering Eid prayers on Monday to protest against the recent communal clashes in the Steel City and the recent lynchings of Muslims across the country.For the first time in recent years, the state police and security forces held flag marches in communally sensitive areas and organized peace committee meetings to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.Khurshid Hassan Rumi, state general secretary of Muslim-Majlis-e-Mushawarat, said, "Eid is a festival of joy, but the minority community is living in fear in various parts of the state and the country. A few of us are registering our protest by wearing black bands."Amid the symbolic protests, Eid was celebrated with traditional pomp and exuberance as people from all walks of life celebrated the festival. Commemorating the end of the holy month of Ramzan , Muslims visited mosques to offer special prayers and exchange greetings with friends and relatives. Chief minister Raghubar Das greeted members of the Muslim community in Bhalubasa in Steel City, where he had gone for Sunday's Rath Yatra festivities.In Ranchi, several parts of the city were decked up and shops on the Main Road was filled with customers making last-minute purchases. Mohammad Kalimullah , a businessman, said, "Prices of everything have increased. With GST scheduled to be rolled out next week, many shopkeepers have jacked up the prices, but this has not dampened our spirit. Many of my Hindu friends visited me and took part in the celebrations with me. This has been our tradition for many years."Tight security arrangements and traffic regulations were put in place in the two adjoining districts of East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan, with large crowds gathering at all the mosques. In Jamshedpur, security was intensified near mosques, fair sites and minority-dominated areas, particularly, Mango, Azadnagar, MGM, Golmuri, Telco, Jugsalai and Pursudih.Unlike previous years, imams in their Eid message appealed to the youngsters to celebrate the festival in an organised manner, avoid loud music and desist from driving at high speed. "Peace and order must be maintained amid the celebrations," said Pesh-e-Imam of Bistupur Jama Masjid in his message.The Eid fair at Jugsalai Eidgaha and Gandhi Maidan in Steel City witnessed a huge turnout. Mohammad Wakiluddin , a 47-year-old public relations executive, said, "Along with religious sanctity, the month of Ramzan and Eid also carries the message of humanity, charity and peace and urge people to celebrate this festival in an inclusive manner."

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