Bihar Ram Navami violence: Internet shutdown, section 144 in Sasaram, Nalanda
At least 14 people were injured in the clash with incidents of gun firing. Eight vehicles were also torched by the mob.
Internet services were suspended in several districts of Bihar, including Nalanda and Sasaram for 48 hours following the Ram Navami violence that left several people injured, including six with bullet injuries. Section 144 (prohibitory orders) were also imposed in Nalanda and Sasaram.
“Fourteen people were brought to the hospital. Three of them have been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital and one person is undergoing treatment in ICU,” said Nalanda Sadar hospital doctor Viswajeet Kumar.
A clash broke out between the two groups during a Ram Navami procession on Friday near Gagan Diwan Mohalla under Laheri police station in Biharsharif, the district headquarters of Nalanda, after one group allegedly pelted stones at the procession, which further led to the gun firing and eight vehicles were torched.
Police personnel, including a guard of the sub-divisional police officer Sasaram, were also injured in the clashes that continued till Friday evening.
Amid the violence, police personnel and administration forces were deployed at the incident site while security has been increased in the district. Meanwhile, Patna central range Inspector General (IG) Rakesh Rathee, who reached Nalanda amid the clashes, informed that the police have so far arrested 28 people allegedly involved in the clash.
He said that they are examining CCTV footage to identify the real culprits while additional police forces and an RAF (Rapid Action Force) battalion have been deployed to take control of the situation. Police are also keeping a close watch on social media to thwart rumour-mongering, said Rathee.
In Sasaram, deputy general of police (DIG) Navin Chandra Jha told HT that police arrested 18 persons while the district magistrate along with the superintendent of police (SP) are holding a peace meeting with both groups clashed during the procession.
Meanwhile, on Friday, an incident of stone pelting during a Ram Navami procession was also reported from Gaya and Naugachhia.
According to Gaya senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ashish Bharti, members of two groups clashed during the Sobha Yatra procession at Dabbu village.
He said incidents of stone pelting were reported in which several people faced injuries. Meanwhile, police arrested 16 people and raids are being conducted to nab other culprits, said Bharti.
In Naugachhia, four, including a woman was injured after a clash between two groups during idol immersion at Kharik. “Situation is under control now. Peace is being maintained,” said Naugachhia SP Sushant Kumar Saroj.
Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai, minister of state and Buxar MP Ashwini Kumar Choubey reached Sasaram on Friday to take stock of the situation.
Union minister of home affairs Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Patna on Saturday on a two-day Bihar visit. He is also scheduled to visit violence-hit Sasaram to address a meeting.