Bihar violence: Amit Shah takes stock of situation, MHA to send additional paramilitary forces
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed concern over the incidents of violence in the state.
Bihar violence: Amid violent clashes in parts of Bihar, Union Home Minister Amit expressed concern over incidents and spoke to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to take stock of the situation. Union Home Ministry has also decided to send additional paramilitary forces to Bihar to assist the state administration in handling the situation arising out of the violence, news agency PTI reported citing sources.
Following a request of the Bihar government, the MHA has decided to send additional forces in the state. “The home minister spoke to the Bihar governor and took stock of the situation. The home minister expressed his concern over the violence in the state,” the sources said. The governor is believed to have apprised Shah about the prevailing situation in the state.
Blast in Sasaram
As many as six people were injured during the handling of illegal explosives at a private property in Sasaram town in Bihar’s Rohtas district on Saturday evening. All the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. The district police have also arrested two people in connection with the matter and the a team of forensic experts is conducting an investigation at the spot.
“It has been found that 6 persons were injured during the handling of illegal explosives at a private property in Rohtas; a team of forensic experts is conducting an investigation at the spot. Two persons arrested,” said Rohtas Police.
“There was a bomb blast in Sasaram. Injured people were referred to BHU hospital. We’re investigating all the angles right now,” Sasaram DM Dharmendra Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
According to the Bihar Police, information was received about the incident of a bomb blast in Sasaram of Rohtas after which the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team reached the spot to investigate the matter. "The blast was reported at a shanty and a scooty has been recovered from the area. Prima facie it does not appear to be a communal incident," the police said.
32 people arrested in Sasaram
As many as 32 people have been arrested so far as raids continue across the city. “Strict action will be taken against rioters. Security personnel has been deployed & flag march conducted in sensitive areas,” siad Vineet Kumar, SP Rohtas.
Rohtas DM Dharmendra Kumar said that the situation is peaceful in Sasaram. “Yesterday, we got info that a few people from one community threw explosives at a religious site belonging to another community. 6 people were injured, but they didn't suffer any serious injuries. Looking at the incident site, it is clear that the explosion occurred due to the mishandling of explosives. 1100-1200 security personnel deployed in the city. The public should not believe rumours,” he added.
A clash broke out between two groups in Sasaram and Nalanda's Biharsharif on Friday after the Ram Navami procession. Stone pelting was also reported in the area. To maintain law and order situation, the authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in both the cities.
One dead in fresh clashes in Naland’s Biharsharif, Section 144 imposed
A person died after a fresh clash was erupted on Saturday night following violence during Ram Navami festivities in Naland’s Biharsharif. Section 144 has been imposed in the area for precautionary measures in the city.
“The situation is normal. Section 144 has been imposed in the area. Security personnel are deployed across the city,” said SI Surendra Paswan.
The body of the deceased person has been sent for post-mortem. “A body (of a person who died in fresh violence last night) has been sent for post-mortem. More than 50 people have been arrested in raids conducted last night. Till now 8 FIRs registered. Additional force to be deployed,” said Ashok Mishra SP, Biharsharif, Nalanda district.
77 people arrested in Biharsharif
A total of 77 people have been arrested till now in connection with the violence in Biharsharif. “A total of 77 people have been arrested till now. Strict action is being taken against the miscreants. All are requested to maintain peace and not pay heed to rumours,” said Nalanda Police.
“It's not natural…”
Breaking his silence over the unrest after two groups clashed in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that appropriate action would be taken. He, however, said that 'somebody might have done something unnatural'. Prohibitory orders were clamped on Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns, the headquarters of Rohtas and Nalanda districts respectively.
"It is unfortunate. The situation was controlled in Sasaram immediately. Last evening at around 6 pm, I got to know about the Biharsharif incident. The situation has been controlled there also. But I have instructed the officials to ascertain who is at fault and investigate the matter because incidents like these never used to take place. Why have such incidents taken place this time?" Kumar said.
"The police will take action against those who are indulged. It isn't 'natural', definitely, somebody might have done something 'unnatural' here and there deliberately," he added.
Also Read: Bihar violence: It isn't 'natural', definitely somebody..., says CM Nitish Kumar
Amit Shah in Bihar
Shah will address a public rally in Hisua city in Nawada district. Notably, Shah's tour of Sasaram in Rohtas district was cancelled after the imposition of Section 144 in the area following violence.
The Home Minister’s scheduled visit to Sashastra Seema Bal's Patna Frontier on Sunday has also been cancelled. The function, where Shah was scheduled to dedicate to the public nine establishments of the SSB and do "bhoomi pujan" for a new Patna Frontier building, "has been cancelled because of unavoidable reasons", a statement said.
The Home Minister, who reached Patna on Saturday evening, will now leave for Hisua in Nawada district in the afternoon for addressing a public meeting. "The programme in Nawada stands. The district is peaceful and unaffected by disturbances elsewhere," BJP MLA Jibesh Kumar Mishra, who is camping in Nawada, told PTI over the phone.
(With agencies input)