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Internet suspended, curfew imposed in Bihar’s Nalanda, Sasaram districts after Ram Navami violence
Internet services were suspended for 48 hours in Bihar's Nalanda and Sasaram districts after communal clashes during Ram Navami processions on Friday injured several people, including six with bullet injuries. The curfews imposed by administrations in both districts under Section 144 of CrPC continued on Saturday. Police have arrested 28 people and will lodge four separate first information reports (FIRs) against the troublemakers.
PATNA: Internet services were suspended for 48 hours in Bihar’s Nalanda and Sasaram districts after communal clashes during Ram Navami processions on Friday injured several people, including six with bullet injuries, police said. The curfews imposed by administrations in both districts under Section 144 of CrPC continued on Saturday.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar asserted that the incidents were triggered by some people indulging in mischief. “Communal tensions during Ram Navami festivities at Sasaram and Bihar Sharif are disturbing. Such incidents happened for the first time in the area. It’s not natural,” Kumar told reporters in Patna. “We know that some people are indulging in “gadbad” (mischief) and are trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state. We will not allow this to happen.”
In Nalanda, curfew was imposed after violent clashes erupted at around 5pm near Gagan Diwan under the Laheri police station area. The state government sent additional police personnel from the Patna range to bring the situation under control, officers said, declining to be named.
The situation in Nalanda became tense on Thursday after a senior political leader allegedly provoked a group of people to install a loudspeaker near the mosque, a senior police officer told HT. On Friday, when a Ram Navami procession organised by some Hindu right-wing outfits was marching through Gagan Diwan neighbourhood, some people allegedly pelted stones on them, leading to a clash and gunshots from both sides, the officer added.
“The mob torched eight vehicles, including a bus and SUV, set on fire over a dozen shops of a particular community and looted stores,” said the officer. “Six people received bullet injuries.”
Fourteen people were brought in Nalanada district hospital, out of whom four had bullet injuries, said Dr Viswajeet Kumar, a physician at the facility. “Three of them have been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital and one person is undergoing treatment in an intensive care unit,” he added.
Police have arrested 28 people and will lodge four separate first information reports (FIRs) against the troublemakers, said Rakesh Rathee, inspector general of police (IGP), Patna central range. Police were assessing the losses from the clash, he added.
“We appeal to the people to stay calm. Police are examining CCTV footages to identify the culprits. Additional police forces and RAF battalion deployed at the spot,” Rathee said. “Police are keeping a close watch on social media to stop rumour-mongering.”
In Sasaram, police arrested 18 people, even as the district magistrate and superintendent of police are holding peace meetings with both communities, said Navin Chandra Jha, deputy inspector general of police, Sahabad range. “Police are patrolling the area for confidence-building and are on high alert,” Jha said. “People should avoid rumours. The situation is under control.”
After the violence, Union home minister Amit Shah has cancelled his tour of Sasaram on Sunday, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s state chief Samrat Choudhary blaming the state government for “poor” law-and-order situation. However, the chief minister rejected the allegations, saying: “I have no idea about this. I don’t know why he was coming and I don’t understand why he decided not to come. As far as the law-and-order situation in the state is concerned, it’s perfectly alright.”
Shah, meanwhile, reached Patna on Saturday evening.
There were reports of stone pelting during Ram Navami processions in Gaya and Naugachhia as well. At least five people, including two constables of Gaya police, were injured, police said. Peace has been restored, they said.
Members of two communities clashed during a procession at Dabbu village under Chakand police station area, said Ashish Bharti, senior superintendent of police, Gaya. Police have arrested 16 people, he added.
There were minor clashes between two communities after an immersion ceremony at Kharik in Naugachhia. Four people including a woman have been injured. “The situation is under control,” said Sushant Kumar Saroj, superintendent of police, Naugachhia. “Peace is being maintained.”
