JOIN USViolence continues unabated in Bihar
Bihar continued to burn for the third consecutive day on Sunday when lumpen elements indulged in vandalism in several parts of Central Bihar, protesting the killing of Ranveer Sena founder Brahmeshwar Singh.
Anguished over the unabated violence, Governor Devanand Konwar has sought a report from the Bihar government on the issue. The Opposition, too, stepped up its attack on Nitish regime and demanded immediate imposition of President’s rule as “there is no government worth the name in the state, and a motley group of marauders is holding entire Bihar to ransom.”
Angry supporters of Brahmeshwar on Sunday enforced bandh in Jehanabad and Arwal while blocking national highways at Barh, Lakhisarai and Muzaffarpur. Train movement on the Patna-Gaya route was also affected as the protesters blocked the tracks for several hours. The paramilitary police had to lathicharge the agitationists when they forced traders to shut down shops and business establishments at several places.
With no let-up in arson and violence, Congress party on Sunday sought immediate Central intervention to bring the situation under control. “The chief minister, who is in Kishanganj, has refused to react to this ugly situation, which is now getting out of control. The continuous violence makes it a fit case for imposition of President’s rule,” said Bihar Congress President Mehboob Ali Kaisar.
Lok Janshakti Party president Ram Vilas Paswan also slammed Nitish in uncertain terms. “When Bihar was burning, neither the CM nor the DM nor the DGP could be seen. If Nitish can’t govern, he should pack his bags,” said Paswan. He was supported by RJD chief Lalu Prasad who said that Nitish was behind the entire unsavoury incident. “I am collecting evidence. I will blow the lid off soon,” said Lalu.
Nitish on Sunday refused to make any comment on the arson and violence unleashed by supporters of Ranveer Sena. Bihar DGP Abhayanand, however, clarified that “under the given situation, we had no option other than to exercise restraint. Or else, the situation could have turned from bad to worse.” The police have, meanwhile, registered FIRs against 15 named and 400 unnamed accused at different police stations between Ara and Patna.