400 cops deployed amid fears of Bhojpur ‘communal tension’
Over half a dozen policemen and government officials were injured in stone-pelting as a mob torched several small shops.
Police forces march to the streets and the nearby areas of Rani Sagar under Shahpur police station in bihar after communal tension spread over a soicla media message about Prophet Mohammad on Id festival. Yesterday the clash between these two community cliams some roadside shops in Ranisagar.
Express Photo BY Prashant Ravi 
Police forces march to the streets and the nearby areas of Rani Sagar under Shahpur police station in bihar after communal tension spread over a soicla media message about Prophet Mohammad on Id festival. Yesterday the clash between these two community cliams some roadside shops in Ranisagar.Express Photo BY Prashant Ravi
Two days after a Hindu youth allegedly circulated an objectionable post regarding Prophet Mohammed on WhatsApp, Ranisagar village in Bhojpur remained tense Saturday.
Jitendra Gaud, who runs a sweet shop in Ranisagar market, under Shahpur police station’s jurisdiction, said over a dozen shops, including his, had been ransacked. “We don’t know who sent what WhatsApp message. We earn Rs 500-700 a day. We want to live peacefully and do our business,” he said, adding that “over 1,000 people” had created ruckus in the area.
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.”
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