Bihar Ram Navami Violence: Tensions continue to prevail in Bihar while the police are trying to contain the unrest since the arson took place in the state on March 30. The worst hit areas are Biharsharif, Sasaram and Nalanada which are still reporting incidents of communal clashes. The police have so far arrested 106 people in connection with the violence - 26 from Sasaram and 80 from Nalanda.
Police said that section 144 is in place in Biharsharif and Nalanda districts after fresh clashes broke out here on Saturday night. Amid rising pressure to maintain law and order in the state, Bihar police also dismissed rumours that are doing the rounds on social media.
Police personnel deployment continues in Biharsharif and Nalanda amid security concerns.
Responding to one such tweet that contained a video claiming that Hindus in Bihar are leaving their homes due to the current situation, Rohtas police flagged the speculation as "baseless" and "absurd rumour". The police also urged the people to not pay heed to any such rumour.
In a tweet, they said, "This is totally baseless and absurd rumour. No one has left his/her locality. If you can provide name, then plz do so. We appeal to the general public not to pay attention to any such rumour. The situation is peaceful and normal in Sasaram."
The development comes a day after six persons got injured in an explosion in Sasaram. As per the police, the incident occurred during the handling of illegal explosives at a private property in the city. The injured were admitted to the District hospital on Saturday night.
"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," Rohtas Police informed.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA and spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav on Saturday said that all the people involved in the Ram Navami Yatra clashes have been identified with the help of CCTV cameras and that no one will be spared by the Bihar administration.
"Whatever happened in Bihar yesterday, post that the ‘Bajrang Dal’ was moving forward with the Yatra. In all the CCTV footage all the miscreants were identified. The police & DIG are conducting investigations. The administration of Bihar is keeping a watch on it & will not spare those at fault," said Yadav, according to news agency ANI.
Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke to the media on the Ram Navami clashes in the state and said that the incidents are not "natural" and somebody might have done something "unnatural deliberately" to disturb the law and order, reported the news agency.
Kumar also said that he has instructed officials to investigate the incidents and ascertain those behind the yatra clashes.
"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 was quoted as saying by ANI.
"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.