Ram Navami Violence: BJP Leader Jawahar Prasad Arrested From Bihar's Sasaram

The Sasaram police has arrested 63 people in connection with the Ram Navami clashes that took place on March 31.

Security personnel stand guard outside a mosque following clashes between two groups during Ram Navami procession, at Biharsharif in Nalanda district (Image used for representational purposes only) ( Image Source :PTI )

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Jawahar Prasad was arrested from his residence in Bihar's Sasaram on Friday. The arrest was made in connection with the communal violence that broke out in the town on the ocassion of Ram Navami on March 31. The Sasaram Police has arrested 63 people in the matter so far. Two others, Shahnawaz Alam alias Lakhani and Jawahar Prasad surrendered in front of the court after which a Non-Bailable Warrant was issued against them and they were arrested from Bihar's Rohtas district, reported news agency ANI. 

In the matter, Non-Bailable Warrant has been issued against 38 others as well. Search operations are underway to find and arrest those accused, reported ANI.

Bihar | Former BJP MLA Jawahar Prasad arrested from his residence in Sasaram in connection with the communal violence case which took place on March 31 pic.twitter.com/raR5MIkXIv

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2023

Jawahar Prasad, since becoming an MLA for the first time in 1990, has represented the Sasaram assembly constituency 5 times. In the last election held in 2020, he did not contest from Sasaram as the assembly seat had gone to the alliance partner JD(U).

Communal Violence Erupts On Ram Navami In Sasaram

Clashes between two groups had taken place in March on the occasion of Ram Navami in Bihar where 130 arrests were made and 15 FIRs were lodged in the matter. Violent clashes took place in Rohtas, Nalanda, Bhagalpur, Gaya, and Munger over the procession of Ram Navami.

Firing and stone pelting were reported during the clashes after which section 144 was imposed in violence affeted areas. Internet services were also shut down in Rohtas district for more than 8 days. Heavy security deployment was made in all the affected areas to avoid any untowrd incident.

After the clashes broke out BJP MLAs held protests and raised anti-government slogans demanding Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's resignation.