NITISH KUMAR

Bihar communal clashes: BJP claims strict action taken only against 'majority'

Nitish with Sushil Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (right) with Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi of the BJP | PTI

The Bihar unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded an impartial probe into the recent incidents of communal clashes in the state, alleging impartial action was taken against the 'majority' community only.

On Friday, 13 party members met Bihar's director general of police (DGP) and submitted a two-page memorandum that also demanded the immediate release of the "innocent persons."

It stated that following the clashes, the administration was strict with the majority community and showed a 'soft corner' for minority community people.

"As per information, 187 Hindus and 23 Muslims have been arrested. It is mentionable that the main accused in the Aurangabad clash, Naseer Khan, has not been arrested," read the memorandum that was submitted to the DGP.

After the meeting, BJP leader Sanjeev Chaurasia said the DGP assured them of justice.

"DGP has assured us that after the investigation is complete, everything will be clear. No innocent person will be punished and strict action will be taken against culprits," Chaurasia told reporters.

Earlier on Thursday, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government had allotted over Rs 2 lakh for repair and restoration of riot-hit Gudri mosque and Jiaul-Ulum Madrassa situated in Samastipur city.

Recently, communal clashes, which had broken out between two groups in Bhagalpur and Aurangabad on the occasion of Ram Navami, spilled over to other parts of the state after miscreants vandalised a Hanuman idol in Nawada.