Violence in Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar sees no law & order problem

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Saturday said the violence at Sasaram in Rohtas and Biharsharif in his home district of Nalanda during Ram Navami festivities was not "natural" but deliberately done by some people indulging in mischief to disturb peace and harmony in the society. He rejected the BJP's allegation that these incidents indicated poor law and order situation in the state.
Altogether 45 people have been arrested in connection with the communal violence at Sasaram and Biharsharif, the state police headquarters said on Saturday. Vehicles, houses and shops were torched and several people injured in the violence in both the towns. Section 144 of CrPC was promulgated following the clashes.
Nitish also made light of the postponement of Union home minister Amit Shah's visit to Sasaram on April 2 in view of the communal disturbances. "I don't know why he (Shah) was coming and I don't understand why he decided not to come," he said.
Shah was to address a rally organised at Sasaram on Sunday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Emperor Ashoka, but had to cancel it in the wake of the prohibitory orders in the town. However, Shah will address a meeting at Hisua in Nawada on Sunday.
Asked about the BJP's allegation that Shah cancelled his Sasaram tour as the state government failed to make arrangements of necessary security for the Union home minister, Nitish said, "It is a totally wrong allegation. The state government provides security to every Union minister who visits the state and there is no law and order problem across the state. We always take proper care of any Union minister visiting the state."
"The incident at Sasaram is very unfortunate. As soon as we got information about disturbances at Sasaram, it was effectively controlled immediately. I got information about Biharsharif at around 6pm and immediately deputed officers. The situation at Biharsharif was also brought under control," Nitish said, adding, "The police officers have been asked to identify those who indulged in mischief and take strict action against them."
Nitish also claimed that the incidents were not a law and order issue, rather a case of clashes between two groups.
"It happened because somebody has done 'ghach-pach' (deliberate mischief). We have asked police to investigate all aspects of the incidents and identify the actual culprits," the CM said.