BJP legislator being probed over Bihar communal tension

Patna: The Bihar Police have launched a probe into the alleged involvement of a BJP legislator over the communal tension in Saran district, a police official on Thursday said. Saran Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Raj told IANS that a probe was underway into the role of Bharatiya Janata Party legislator C.N. Gupta. "We are investigating into Gupta's role. Action against him would be initiated or taken only after investigation completed," he said. On Tuesday, video clips emerged and were telecast by local Hindi news channels showing Gupta leading a mob of people, armed with traditional weapons in Chapra district headquarters of Saran during a shutdown called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal and despite the district administration issuing orders prohibiting any public gathering to maintain law and order. "Instead of appealing to people to maintain communal harmony and peace, Gupta was leading a march of VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters in Chapra, in full view of district administration that resulted in violence. Shops and houses of minority community members were attacked," Congress legislator Shakil Ahmad Khan said. Khan told IANS that it was clear that Gupta violated prohibitory orders and instigated people that created communal trouble. "The state administration has to take a tough stand to send a strong message for communal harmony," he added. Some social activists in Chapra have also blamed Gupta for the communal tension in Saran town. They said Gupta was well known for his decade long association with the RSS and other Hinduvta organisations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal. Gupta, however, has denied any involvement in violence. According to reports, the situation in Saran town was under control but tension remains. Schools and colleges opened on Tuesday and markets also reopened, a district official said. The trouble began when some youth of Balha village and other youth from Maker village blocked roads last week to protest police failure to take action against those who had posted an objectionable video clip online. Trouble escalated and angry mobs attacked the houses and shops of minority community members on Friday. Some youth attacked the house of the prime accused, which led to the communal tension, an official said. On August 5, violent clashes took place between both communities and shops and houses were targeted at several places. The following day, violent clashes were reported and the VHP and Bajrang Dal called a day-long shut-down, forcing shops, schools and colleges to remain closed. Over a dozen persons, including policemen, were injured, 55 shops torched, houses looted and 62 persons were arrested.