‘Some people indulging in mischief’: Nitish Kumar on Ram Navami violence in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said that the clashes that broke out in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif during the Ram Navami festivities were triggered by some people indulging in "gadbad" (mischief). He further denied the allegations leveled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders which equated to poor law and order situation in the state.

“Communal tensions during Ram Navami festivities at Sasaram and Bihar Sharif are disturbing. Such incidents happened for the first time in the area. It’s not natural. We know that some people are indulging in ‘gadbad‘ (mischief) and are trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state. We will not allow this to happen,” the chief minister said.

Addressing the media in Patna on Saturday regarding the cancelation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Sasaram visit,  Nitish Kumar said, “I don’t know why he was coming and I don’t understand why he decided not to come”. Nitish Kumar also informed that he has already instructed the police officials to identify the individuals who were involved in causing mischief and “to take strict action against them”.

Section 144 was imposed in parts of Nalanda and Rohtas districts after communal clashes broke out on Friday over processions on the occasion of Ram Navami, injuring at least 14 people, police said on Saturday. “14 people were brought here. Of them, 4 had suffered bullet injuries, out of which 3 have been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital. One person is admitted to ICU. All are stable,” Dr Viswajeet Kumar, Sadar Hospital, Nalanda said in a report.

Prohibitive restrictions were imposed in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns of the Rohtas and Nalanda districts, respectively due to the communal unrest, they added. “The miscreants are being identified. FIR will be registered against them and stringent action will be taken,” Nalanda SP Ashok Mishra said.

Police have so far arrested 27 people in Nalanda while 18 people in Sasaram in connection with the Rama Navami incident.