The state home department of Bihar imposed a two-day internet ban in Chhapra town on Friday, following a communal clash that broke out in the morning over a Durga idol immersion procession.
The clash took place in the Bhagwan Bazar area of Chhapra, the headquarters of Saran district, when some locals objected to the deviation of the procession from the pre-assigned route and the use of loud music on a DJ system.
The Chapra police said that some miscreants pelted stones at the procession, which led to a heated exchange of words and physical confrontation between the two groups. The police intervened and escorted the procession to the immersion site, but not before some people were injured on both sides.
The police also said that they had deployed adequate security forces in the area and were monitoring the situation closely. They said that they were identifying the culprits with the help of CCTV footage and video clips and would take stern action against them.
Meanwhile, the state home department issued an order to suspend internet services in the Sadar Sub Division of Chhapra till 6 pm on Sunday. The order read that it was to prevent the circulation of objectionable content by anti-social elements that could incite communal hatred & violence and cause damage to life and property.
The order further read that the state government had invoked its emergency powers under the Indian Telegraph Act to enforce the internet shutdown. The order prohibited sharing of any type of messages and pictures through online platforms during the period.
This was not an isolated incident of communal violence in Bihar during the festive season. Earlier this week, similar clashes had occurred in Begusarai and Aurangabad districts during Durga idol immersion processions. In both cases, police personnel were injured and several people were arrested.
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