Jharkhand, Bihar burn after Friday prayer

Law Kumar Mishra

Patna, June 10

Nitin Navin, PWD minister of Bihar and BJP in-charge of Chhattisgarh had a narrow escape when members of the minority community attacked his vehicle in Ranchi on Friday, the minister’s vehicle was badly damaged.  

Different towns in Bihar and Jharkhand faced post Friday prayers violence as members of the minority community organised protests demanding arrest of two expelled BJ P leaders, Nupur Sharma and Navin Jindal.

Jharkhand Home secretary, Rajiv Ekka on Friday evening issued an order banning internet services till Saturday morning to prevent rumour mongering.

At Ranchi, state capital of Jharkhand, large-scale violence and arson erupted immediately after Friday prayers. Members of the minority community clashed with the police which responded with lathi charge and later fired on the mob.

One person was killed in firing and 13 injured. Senior SP of Ranchi, S K Jha is among the dozen policemen injured in stone pelting. Officers in charge of Kotwali, Hindi peedhi, Daily market police stations were rushed to the hospital.

Akhilesh Yadav, a jawan of Jharkhand Armed police third battalion received bullet injuries from firing from the mob.

Bihar’s public works department minister, Nitin Navin, who was on an official tour to Ranchi had a narrow escape as the members of the minority community attacked his vehicle, damaging both back and side window screens. The Minister’s escort vehicle was also attacked. Minister was saved with the intervention of local police on Ranchi Main Road. Navin alleged that violence was pre planned and there was an attempt on his life.

Former Chief Minister Raghuwar Das claimed there were advance reports about protests after Friday prayers. He alleged a temple, Sankat Mochan, was attacked and its priests were assaulted.

Deputy commissioner of Ranchi imposed curfew orders in the town as violence spread to Kudru,Harmoo,Doranda and Church Road areas where shops were damaged by the mob.

In Bihar, immediately after Friday prayers at a mosque in Gopalichak area of Ara,50 kms from here, people took to the streets carrying effigies of Nupur Sharma. Mushtaquim Alam, Maulana of the mosque, demanded arrest of Nupur Sharma under the national security act.

At Sadbhavna chauk in Nawada district, members of the minority community held demonstrations and blocked the movement of vehicles on national highway 31. They burnt tyres on the highway.

 At Muzaffarpur, after Friday prayers, muslims organised demonstrations at Bhikhan Chauk and Maniyari, forced closure of shops and created road blockades on the national highway to Darbhanga.

At Bhagalpur too, stone pelting and incidents of arson have been reported. Markets were closed by the demonstrators.

 Reports of organised protests after Friday prayers have been received from Imamganj and Nalanda too.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday evening appealed for restraint and calm and alleged well organised conspiracy behind the day’s violence.