Ram Navami clash: Maintain order at any cost, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday asked the police officers to take hardest possible action against the troublemakers and restore peace in Biharsharif and Sasaram where communal disturbances were reported during the Ram Navami festivities.
Altogether 109 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes in Biharsharif and Sasaram, police said on Sunday. According to police headquarters, 77 people were arrested in Biharsharif and 32 in Sasaram. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC remained in place in Biharsharif as fresh violence erupted on Saturday night in which three people sustained bullet injuries and one died.
Nitish spoke to the father and brother of the Paharpura man, who was killed in Saturday violence. He ordered Rs5 lakh ex gratia payment to the next of kin of the deceased.
Chairing a high-level meeting with chief secretary Amir Subhani, DGP R S Bhatti and other top bureaucrats, Nitish asked the officers to remain alert and maintain law and order in the trouble-torn areas at any cost. He also spoke to Patna divisional commissioner, DIG (Dehri-on-Sone) and the district magistrates and SPs of Nalanda and Rohtas and took stock of the latest situation in both the towns.
Meanwhile, Nalanda DM Shashank Shubhankar said the situation in the town was peaceful now. "Around 12 people injured in the Friday and Saturday clashes are undergoing treatment at Sadar hospital," he said.
Nalanda SP Ashok Mishra said 11 FIRs have been registered in connection with the clashes. "The fresh violence took place in interior areas, but the police immediately brought the situation under control," he added. Mishra said paramilitary forces and BSAP personnel are monitoring the situation.
In Sasaram, no fresh incident of violence was recorded on Sunday. The administration staged a flag march in the sensitive areas. All educational institutions have been closed till April 4. Internet services remained suspended.
A bomb exploded in Sasaram on Saturday, leaving six people injured. Two persons were arrested in the case. "During verification of reports, it has been found that they were injured during illegal explosive handling. It has no connection with the clashes that took place in Sasaram. Further investigation is on", the DGP said.
All the business establishments in the town remained closed for the third consecutive day on Sunday.
(With inputs from Farrukh Nadim in Biharsharif and Alok Chamaria in Sasaram)