Tension continues to prevail in Bihar's Nalanda and Sasaram days after the violence on the occasion of Ram Navami. At least 130 people have been arrested in Nalanda and 43 people are held in Sasaram. Nalanda DM has announced that the houses of those against whom there are allegations and warrants have been issued will be attached. Section 144 was imposed in Sasaram due to clashes between two groups after the Ram Navami celebrations on March 31.
On Friday, a clash broke out between two groups after the Ram Navami procession. Stone pelting and arson of vehicles also occurred. Meanwhile, minor clashes occurred on Friday after idol immersion in Kharik in Naugachia in Bhagalpur district. Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLAs on Monday staged a protest outside Bihar Assembly against the State government over the violence that took place in various districts during Ram Navami celebrations.
BJP MLAs were seen raising slogans anti-government slogans and demanded that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should step down and condemn the violence. Security was increased following clashes on March 31 in Nalanda in Biharsharif and Sasaram in Rohtas in the State.
Leader of the Opposition party, Bihar legislative assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha told reporters outside the assembly, "The violence that happened in Sasaram and Nalanda have happened in the past as well. Why doesn't the government deploy enough security personnel? Why does it have to wait till the matter becomes worse? This is the 21st century and the country will not work on the basis of appeasement politics,” as quoted by ANI.
Meanwhile, Nalanda District Magistrate, Shashank Shubhankar said that a peace committee has been formed in every ward and a meeting of the peace committee will be held following which they will take out a march.
"The situation is normal in the city. Shops are also being opened. A peace committee was formed in every ward. Today also there will be a meeting of the peace committee and a march will be held... Over 130 people have been arrested so far," said the district magistrate. Earlier on Sunday, the State government extended suspension of internet services till April 4 in the Nalanda district.
Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department of the State Chaitanya Prasad said that the step had been taken in the interest of maintenance of public order in the exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
Meanwhile, a total of 10 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been sent to Bihar. Of these 10 companies (carrying approximately 1,000 personnel) includes four from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) one from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the rest from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), ANI reported citing sources.
The state home department in a statement on Sunday said that the move has come after the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police Nalanda reported "misinformation".