
Bihar: 2 killed after row over WhatsApp message
Two youth were killed and seven injured at Akbarpur village in Rohtas on Tuesday in an incident sparked off by a message exchanged between friends from two different communities on WhatsApp.
The message allegedly had communal undertones and the offended community went on a rampage, attacking several shops, which set off panic in the area.
Soon after the offensive message’s sender was identified, Rohtas police station in-charge Mithilesh Kumar Jaiswal detained and relocated him away from the mob. However, rumours spread that the boy had been killed in police custody and the body been disposed of secretly.
His family, not finding him at the local police station, started accusing the police. Soon, a large crowd gathered and attacked a police party and torched its vehicle.
Immediately thereafter, the police station came under heavy brick batting and isolated gunfire from country-made weapons. Several officials, policemen and CRPF jawans sustained injuries. An SLR rifle of a SAP jawan was also snatched.
The police opened fire in which two persons are said to have died, while the condition of CRPF jawans Chetan Desai and KK Yadav, who sustained injuries, is said to be critical.
Sasaram BJP MP Chhedi Paswan told the HT on phone from Delhi that the SHO of Rohtas police station was responsible for the entire episode and demanded strict action against him.
The situation is under control and top police officials are camping at the site. Main towns of Sasaram, Dehri, Dinara, Bikramganj and other sensitive places in Rohtas district have been put on high alert.

Let's have a duel: Amit Shah slams Covid-19 vaccine critics

Legal education in the country needs urgent reforms: Supreme Court judges

Gujarat state election commission announces local body elections in February

Air India begins weekly flight between Agra and Goa
- This Goa-Agra-Delhi flight was earlier expected to begin on January 16 but was rescheduled for January 23. The plane halted for 35 minutes and then flew for Delhi at 12.15 pm with four passengers.

Fresh snowfall in J-K, drop in temp in north Maharashtra likely from Jan 25

After J&K govt lifts poultry ban, crow samples found positive in 4 districts
- Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday had lifted the ban on the import of the poultry and poultry products.

'Stand up to bigoted bulldozing or..': Mahua Moitra on Mamata-Jai Shri Ram row

Pakistan dug tunnel in J-K's Pansar from zero-line, says BSF IG

News updates from HT: Shah launches Ayushman CAPF scheme and all the latest news

Govt announces Subhash Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2021

Lalu Prasad Yadav shifted to AIIMS Delhi as health worsens
- He will be admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as decided by his family members in consultation with the doctors of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

Amit Shah launches Ayushman CAPF scheme for medical benefits to armed forces

'Our march will have no effect on R-Day Parade,' says Yogendra Yadav

Cavalcades of tractors from Punjab, Haryana set out for R-Day tractor parade

Jagan govt boycotts panchayat election process after poll panel's notification
- The district collectors, superintendents of police, district panchayat officers and other field-level officials also boycotted the video conference.