400 cops deployed amid fears of Bhojpur ‘communal tension’

While the youth, the son of a local barber, has been arrested, police said communal tension resurfaced after Friday prayers. Ranisagar, which has a population of over 12,000, has about 70 per cent Muslims. Locals say there is no history of communal violence here, and Hindus and Muslims have for years run adjoining shops.

“Some influential Muslims of the village brought it to the police’s notice on Thursday. Some fiery speeches after Friday prayers escalated the situation. Though there is no communal conflict, we cannot rule out (anything),” said a police officer, adding that a case has been lodged against more than 50 people. No arrest has been made yet.

Over half a dozen policemen and government officials were injured in stone-pelting as a mob torched several small shops.

Suraj Thakur, a fish seller, said the mob wreaked havoc and retreated only when police were called in.

Over 400 policemen have been deployed at Ranisagar, which is in Shahpur assembly segment, to monitor the situation, Bhojpur SP Chhatranil Singh said.

Mohammed Jamshed, a local, tried to strike a note of reconciliation. “We have co-existed here for years without any communal tension. One must not spread hate messages against any religion.”