Bihar Poll Violence: BJP Leader Arrested After 1 Death In BJP-RJD Clash In Chhapra, Internet Suspended

A day after the fifth phase polling, a person was killed and two others were injured in a firing incident between BJP and RJD in Bihar's Chhapra.

In another post-poll incident reported from Bihar during the fifth phase of polling, the workers of Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal got involved in a firing incident, resulting in the death of a man and injuring two others on Tuesday. BJP leader Ramakant Singh was taken in custody in connection with the incident.

The clash erupted between the two parties' workers in the Saran Lok Sabha constituency at Bikhari Thakur chauk in Bihar's Chhapra. Saran seat went to polling on Monday, during phase five of the Lok Sabha elections. 

 

The prominent candidates vying from the Saran seat include BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya.

After the voting, the workers got involved in gunfight, as a result of which a man was killed and two others sustained serious injuries in multiple rounds of firing. Following the incident, a heavy deployment of security forces was done to bring the situation under control and maintain law and order. 

The clash erupted over both the parties alleging each other of irregularities and cheating during the polling. On May 20, stones were also pelted by the workers at each other amid the brewing clash, which later turned violent and tranformed into a gunfight.

The area where the incident occurred is not heavily camped by the police, with the DM Aman Samir and SP Gaurav Mangla monitoring the entire situation overnight. SP Mangla stated that the perpetrators of the fight will be dealt with strictly. 

District Magistrate, Saran, Aman Samir said, "There was an atmosphere of tension occurred yesterday between two parties after a candidate came near polling station 318-319. After the tension that arose our patrolling team was deputed. This morning a scuffle broke out between the supports of both groups (BJD & RJD) and one of them opened fire. One died & the other two were injured. The accused are being identified & action will be taken against them. We appeal to everyone to maintain peace. Two people have been arrested...The situation is under control..."

Following the clash, BJP leader Nitin Nabin alleged that the unrest was perpetrated by the RJD. "They are trying to bring back the pre-2005 situation. The Lalu family is trying to capture booths and bring back bombing culture. This will not work any more," Nabin said.

Commenting on the clash, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav stated: "People engage in violence fearing that they will lose. There is no place for violence in elections...Authorities are investigating the matter."

The RJD too, on the other hand, is blaming the saffron party for the clash.

The deceased was identified as Chandan Yadav (25), and the injured persons were admitted to the nearest hospital.

"Three persons have been arrested in connection with today's incident, he said. Internet was also suspended in the district to prevent a flare-up," SP Mangla added.

An eyewitness said that another clash took place on Monday after Rohini Acharya visited the polling booth with her workers amid reports of fake voting at the polling booth.