Munger: Fresh violence erupted in Bihar's Munger as several police outposts and vehicles were burnt down by the agitated protestors. The protestors, who expressed displeasure over the police inaction against the accused in October 27 violence, also set some police stations on fire and ransacked the SP and the SDO offices.
The Election Commission has removed the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of Munger over the violence during a Durga Puja event early this week. The fresh bout of violence comes in less than 60 hours during the immersion of an idol of Goddess Durga in which one person was killed and left many people injured.
Official sources said the agitators went berserk and also tried to set kotwali and Kasim Bazar police stations on fire, but there they faced strong resistance from the policemen who fired in the air to disperse the mob.
The protesters burnt tyres near Rajiv Chowk in the Munger town, demanding action against the SP and the police personnel responsible for allegedly opening fire during the idol immersion procession.
Police conducted flag march in Munger after a mob vandalised SDO & SP office while protesting against man's death during Durga idol immersion clashes.
"Munger incident is under investigation. Clashes erupted due to pace of idol immersion," said Bihar ADG Jitendra Kumar
On Thursday, a group of protestors alleged that no action has been taken against SP and other police officers over the Monday night firing incident. People took to streets and ransacked police stations and set police vehicles on fire. The poll panel Thursday also ordered an inquiry into the firing and stone-pelting during the Monday night firing incident.
The Election Commission has ordered Magadh Divisional Commissioner Asangba Chuba Ao to complete the probe within a week.
READ: EC orders removal of Munger SP, DM over violence during Durga idol immersion
Munger District Magistrate Rajesh Meena (2012-batch IAS officer) has been transferred to the General Administration Department (GAD), while SP Lipi Sigh (2016-batch IPS officer) has been moved to the state police headquarters, the Home Department said.
Hours later, the Bihar government, on the instructions of the Election Commission, named 2010-batch IAS officer Rachna Patil as the new District Magistrate and 2009-batch IPS officer Manavjit Singh Dhillon as new SP.
Patil was working as Registrar of Cooperative Societies in the Cooperative Department, while Dhillon was a Special Task Force SP. The RJD-helmed Grand Alliance has strongly criticised the Monday incident, likening the district police with General Dyer of infamous Jallianwala Bagh incident in Punjab during British rule on April 13, 1919.
What happened on October 27?
Violence broke out in Munger during the immersion of an idol of goddess Durga and locals have alleged that cops fired on the youth. However, police and the administration have denied the allegations stating that no firing order was issued from their end.
Over the past few days, the Munger violence has become a major point of controversy in Bihar where assembly elections are being held. The Opposition has slammed the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)-BJP government for the violence and alleged police highhandedness.
National President of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and Member of Parliament (MP) of Lok Sabha from Bihar’s Jamui, Chirag Paswan spoke on Munger incident. Paswan said, “Who is responsible for the firing and lathi-charge incident in Munger? Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is now playing the role of General Dyer who ordered the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.” “I am sure CM is responsible for the incident, an investigation should be done,” he added.
DIG Manu Maharaj has taken to the streets to maintain peace in the district. He is constantly appealing to the people not to take law in their hands and help the police in establishing peace. During the exclusive interaction with ETV Bharat, he said that the police station in the district has been set ablaze by a fierce mob in which three policemen are injured. He said that in-charge of Basudevpur police station Sushil Kumar Singh and Mufassil police station in-charge Brijesh Kumar Singh have been suspended. He said that action is being taken against the culprits and all those involved in violence will not be spared under any circumstances.
With agency inputs
READ: Congress slams Bihar govt over Munger firing; says 'Reminds of General Dyre'
