Bihar Ram Navami Violence: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that somebody must have done something 'unnatural' in the state that caused the violence on Ram Navami in Nalanda and Sasaram. He said that he has asked the officials to take appropriate action on the matter.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "It's quite unfortunate, I have asked officials to take the information of those who were involved in these incidents and take appropriate action. It isn't 'natural', definitely, somebody might have done something 'unnatural' here and there."
Talking about Central ministers' visit, he said, "When ministers from the Centre come, the state govt fulfils all its responsibilities. We take care of each and everything. Did law and order get jeopardised anywhere? It was about scuffle between people, somebody has done 'gadbad', there isn't law & order problem (sic)."
The comments come after the local administration did not allow Union Home Minister Amit Shah to participate in an event in Sasaram due to the imposition of section 144 in the area. Bihar BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary asked, "Union Home minister Amit Shah was supposed to come to Sasaram for an event. As the Bihar govt imposed Sec 144 we have to cancel the event. How can we hold an event like this."
The Bihar Police has arrested a total of 45 people for arson, violence and clashes in Nalanda and Sasaram during Ram Navami. A heavy security personnel deployment continues in Nalanda in the wake of the clash between the two groups.
The police said, "Two FIRs have been registered in Nalanda and Rohtas and 27 and 18 people have been arrested respectively after identifying anti-social elements."
"Ram Navami procession has been completed in Bihar Sharif and Sasaram. An adequate number of force and magistrate's deputation is going on at both places. Senior officials are camping at the spot. Social media is being monitored." the police added.
Police also urged the residents to not fall prey to any kind of rumours. "General public is requested not to pay heed to rumours. Cooperate with the police and administration in maintaining peace and order," the tweet read.
On Friday, the local administration in Bihar's Sasaram city imposed Section 144 after clashes broke out between two groups during Ram Navami procession. According to the police, people resorted to stone pelting and also vandalised several vehicles and roadside stalls. After receiving information about the clash, police immediately reached the spot to control the situation.