Communal row in Chhapra Bihar over objectionable post on Hindu deities in social media – Hindu Existence

Chapra town in Bihar’s Saran district is witnessing communal tensions after an “objectionable video of Hindu Gods and Goddesses” went viral on Facebook and Whatsapp. Citing the deteriorating law and order situation, Section 144 was imposed in the Saran district and the administration has requested for a unit of para military force to be immediately dispatched to the violence affected area.It was reported that violence was generated on Friday from Maker block, 40 kilometers from Chhapra, after a Muslim boy allegedly uploaded the objectionable video of Hindu deities leading to skirmishes between the Hindus and Muslims.

On Saturday, the situation worsened after right wing Hindu groups including Bajrang Dal, Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad, among others, had called for a bandh which had the backing of the BJP. But, SP Pankaj Raj  downplayed the entire incident and told the media, the law and order situation was under control.

However, sources from the town informed that the situation worsened on Saturday after groups belonging to two communities tried to attack the places of worship and set them on fire. The two groups clashed with each other forcing the police to intervene. The mob also set fire to several shops and incidents of looting have also been reported from the town.  To disperse the unruly mob, the police fired several rounds in the air and lobbed tear gas shells.

It was reported that two local mosques were damaged by petrol bomb in Sahebganj and Sahja Mathia; many shops of Muslim community were looted as alleged.

Two people have been arrested by the police for instigating unrest in the region in Saran district.

Police force, along with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, has set up a camp in the region to control the growing agitation, an officer confirmed the news. It is being reported that the social media post might have had something to do with religion.

After the provocative anti-Hindu video went viral on social media, authorities temporarily banned internet services in the area such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. All the other governmental facilities will continue uninterrupted.

Senior police officers from Patna, including Deputy Inspector General of Police and Zonal IG, are camping in the town to ensure all measures are being taken to bring the law and order situation under control.