Communal incidents in Biharsharif, Sasaram don’t look ‘natural’, will act sternly against troublemakers: Nitish Kumar

Nitish, while talking to reporters in Patna, said: “I was saddened after learning about the communal incidents at the two places. Such things haven’t happened before even though some smaller incidents may have taken place. This time it does not look natural… We know that some people are indulging in gadbad and are trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state. I have asked the police to identify the troublemakers.”

Reacting to the BJP’s allegations that the state government was not being able to maintain law and order, the CM said: “We have promptly taken action. Adequate police force has been deployed at both places and the situation is under control.” On cancellation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting, he said: “Any Union minister is given security by a state government as per standard protocol. I do not know why one (Shah) was holding a meeting (in Sasaram) and why one cancelled it.”

Communal tension flared up at Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns late Thursday evening and continued till Friday. In Biharsharif, over a dozen people were injured in stone-pelting and firing by miscreants and about 10 shops were gutted. Fire brigade teams had to be pressed into service to control the blaze. Following the violence, prohibitory orders were imposed in the area which continue to be in force.

In Sasaram; the tension started after two groups hurled stones at each other. Later, miscreants damaged over a dozen vehicles and shops following which a large police contingent was deployed to the area and prohibitory orders were imposed.

Gaya also reported minor clash between two groups in the Chak area, where two policemen were injured in stone-pelting. The district police sent extra reinforcements to prevent any communal flare-up.