Social networking sites banned in Bihar's Saran district till Wednesday

The state government on Monday temporarily banned 23 social networking and messaging apps in Saran district till 11 pm on Wednesday to "maintain peace and tranquility". Prohibitory orders were also imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC in Manjhi and Ekma blocks of the district, following tension in several villages following the lynching of a youth and serious injuries to two others due to a brutal thrashing allegedly by followers of Mubarakpur's husband, panchayat mukhiya.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Chaitanya Prasad directed all ISPs that no news or visual content be transmitted in Saran district from 1:00 pm on Monday to 11:00 pm on Wednesday (February 8) through social networking sites or applications, including Facebook , Twitter, WhatsApp, WeChat, Tumblr, Google+, Skype, Viber and Snapchat among others. The order stated that anti-social elements in Saran may use the Internet to transmit objectionable content to spread rumors and discontent among the general public to incite them to commit various crimes against social harmony and to cause damage to lives and property.

The state police directorate said in a statement issued on Monday that two of the accused have already been arrested, with the court obtaining an arrest warrant for the main accused, Vijay Rai. Rai is the husband of Mubarakpur mukhiya Arti Devi under Manjhi block. The beating of the three youths took place at a poultry farm owned by Rai on February 2.

As the two youths undergo treatment at the Patna Medical College & Hospital, tension prevails in the area. Angry villagers set fire to several houses and vehicles in Mubarakpur's Sidharia Tola, where Rai's house is located, on Sunday. When the policemen got there, they pelted them with stones and injured two constables. While locals alleged that the police delayed action against the accused persons, Saran SP Gaurav Mangala visited Mubarakpur on Sunday and ordered the suspension of Manjhi SHO Devanand police station.

The police claimed that strict action is being taken against people involved in spreading rumors about the incident. In a statement issued Monday morning, the state police headquarters said three people were arrested for their involvement in the vandalism on Sunday. A special team has been formed to nab others accused of the main crime and subsequent vandalism. A complaint was filed with the city police for spreading inflammatory messages on social media.
Regarding the imposition of Section 144 in Manjhi and Ekma blocks, Bihar Police Headquarters said that cameramen have also been deployed in the area to monitor the activities. Besides, several teams of Special Auxiliary Police (SAP), Special Forces (STF) and others have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.