New Delhi: The states of Bihar and West Bengal continue to be on the boil since March 31, when Ram Navami celebrations first began, leading to communal clashes in various cities.
Reports have now said that a 16-year-old Bihar boy was killed during the violence in the state on April 1.
Bihar
On Sunday, April 2, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting with senior officials over the situation in Sasaram (in Rohtas district) and Bihar Sharif (in Nalanda district), which saw communal tension following Ram Navami rallies.
News reports have it that a 16-year-old boy died as two groups exchanged fire at Bihar Sharif town on the night of Saturday, April 1. Indian Express has reported that the boy had been out to buy vegetables when he was caught in the firing.
CM Nitish is learned to have announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for his family.
Two more people, who were also caught in the Bihar Sharif firing, and were injured were identified as Mohammed Shakil (66) and Mohammed Taj (32), the report said.
Both Sasaram and Bihar Sharif continued to remain tense on Sunday.
Times of India has also reported a skirmish and communal tension in Rampur Bakhri village in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district following a quarrel.
Bengal
On Sunday, April 2, fresh skirmishes took place as two Ram Navami rallies were intercepted at Rishra in Hooghly district of Bengal.
Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed that its MLA Biman Ghosh (of Pursurah constituency) was injured in the alleged attack.
BJP vice-president Dilip Ghosh has tweeted videos of one of the two rallies that he was a part of. In another tweet, he accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of failing to protect common people.
Stone pelting from Masjid towards #RamNavami rally at Rishra, Hooghly today. pic.twitter.com/HByHpER7cW
— Dilip Ghosh (@DilipGhoshBJP) April 2, 2023
The news agency PTI has quoted a senior officer of the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate as having said, “Medinipur MP Dilip Ghosh and Pursurah MLA Biman Ghosh were present in the procession that was attacked. It was going through the traditional route when a group started throwing stones at it. We took immediate steps to address the situation.”
Wards in Rishra and Srirampur have been brought under Section 144.
BJP and Trinamool Congress spokespersons exchanged words on each having fomented the violence, with the TMC spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar asking why BJP was taking out Ram Navami rallies “two days later.”
The latest trouble comes after escalation of violence in Howrah, neighbouring Kolkata, where 45 people have been arrested after massive arson and stone pelting during and after Ram Navami rallies.