Muharram celebrations in Bihar were marred by a series of violent incidents in several districts on Friday, leaving three police personnel injured, a 22-year-old man dead, and two others wounded. A number of investigations are under way and heavy security measures are being put in place to prevent unrest in the country.
The first major incident took place in Samastipur's Mathurapur police station area, where the traditional Tazia Milan was being held on the banks of the Budhi Gandak River. Around 22 Akharas had gathered to participate in the annual event, during which traditional martial arts and weapon displays were taking place.
It was soon out of control on a day that police and organisers were called out to intervene and control the scene to keep the procession peaceful. But later on, the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police were called upon to reinforce security at the site to prevent a flare-up.
The situation got worse in the nearby Ramnagar Sari neighbourhood, where a section of the Muharram procession attacked police personnel after objecting to police action. Three policemen were seriously injured when they were attacked with sticks and were immediately taken to hospital for treatment.
The Tazia Milan involved 22 Akharas, representatives of different localities in Sukhpur, Mathurapur, Akbarpur Pitaujia, Ramnagar, Makhdumnagar, Sari, Begampur, Hansaganj, Bhaglia Maharajganj, Nagarbasti, and Bahadurganj.
The revenue officer, Dharmendra Pandit, said in an interview that police are investigating who is responsible for the violence through CCTV footage, mobile videos, and other evidence. He said tough action would be taken against anyone who has disturbed public order and appealed to residents not to spread rumours or disrupt communal peace.
In a tragic incident, a 22-year-old man, Mohammad Jabbar Ansari, was stabbed to death at the Muharram procession in the Kalyanpur police station area of Samastipur district.
According to police, the victim was involved in an argument with another youth during the procession. Witnesses said the accused later lured him to a dark place and stabbed him in the chest and disappeared. Ansari was rushed to a nearby hospital before being admitted to the district hospital, where he died from the injuries.
Samastipur SDPO-2 Sanjay Kumar said preliminary investigation indicated that the murder was linked to an old personal rivalry. Police are conducting a search operation to arrest the accused while investigating all possible angles.
A separate incident was also reported from Mohania in the Kaimur district, where two people were injured in a Tazia procession late at night. The injured, Kundan Kumar and Muskan, were watching the procession from the rooftop of their house when they were hit by projectiles.
Family members believed that gunfire during the procession caused the injuries, asserting a bullet passed through Kundan's jaw while Muskan suffered a hand injury. But doctors at Mohania Sub-Divisional Hospital said that injuries to both victims appeared to have been caused by fireworks rather than bullets. Both victims were treated first and taken to a higher medical centre for specialist care.
Police have launched investigations into all the incidents reported during Muharram processions across Bihar. Security has been beefed up in sensitive areas to maintain law and order, officials said.
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