OVER 200 HELD FOR VIOLENCE ACROSS BIHAR, SAYS POLICE

Police have so far registered 15 cases and arrested more than 215 people over the past three days in connection with a wave of communal violence in Bihar, director-general of police KS Dwivedi said.

Communal violence triggered by a Ram Navami procession in Nathnagar block of Bhagalpur district on March 17, has so far been reported from 11 of the state’s 38 districts.

Communal clashes have been reported from Bhagalpur, Siwan, Aurangabad, Gaya, Kaimur, Samastipur, Munger, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Nalanda and Nawada. No fatality has been reported in communal clashes so far.

“Attempts were made to disturb communal peace in some areas. However, the police acted effectively with the help of central forces and locals to control the situation,” DGP Dwivedi said.

Iin Munger, the district administration organized a Sadbhavna (goodwill) march on Saturday. Communal clashes broke out in the district headquarters on March 28. People held banners and placards carrying messages of communal harmony and brotherhood during the peace march. The administration also sought cooperation from residents in helping the police identify troublemakers.

The police had registered nine first information reports (FIRs) against 200 people in Aurangabad, including Bharatiya Janata Party district spokesperson Ujjawal Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal district president Mohammad Yusuf. They have been charged with criminal conspiracy, rioting and unlawful assembly, outraging religious feelings and violating provisions of the Arms Act.