The Bihar police have said that Bajrang Dal convener of Nalanda district Kundan Kumar was the mastermind behind the communal violence that took place during the Ram Navami festival in Bihar Sharif, reported Times Now, NDTV, Telegraph and Scroll.in. Kumar was arrested on April 8 after he surrendered as the administration began to attach his properties, said the police.
“He [Kundan Kumar] is accused of gathering a huge crowd in the name of a Ram Navami procession in Bihar Sharif without proper permission,” Nalanda Superintendent of Police Ashok Mishra told The Telegraph on April 8. “That mob went out of control and violence started.”
On March 31, 2023, the day after Ram Navmi processions, communal violence had erupted in the town in Nalanda district as Hindus and Muslims clashed during the event. One person had died during the clashes that also led to arson, looting and vandalism of shops, homes and educational and religious establishments belonging to both the communities, reported the newspaper.
As many as 13 persons, including two police officials, were injured on March 31 after clashes broke out between Hindus and Muslims during the Ram Navami processions in Nalanda district’s Bihar Sharif and Rohtas district’s Sasaram.
On Sunday, April 9, the police stated that Kundan Kumar and Kishan Kumar, another accused person, had planned and executed the communal clashes in Bihar Sharif through social media and a WhatsApp group that had 456 members, reported NDTV. After several other reports over the past ten days, the breakthrough came on April 10 through NDTV.
The member of the Hindutva group was the admin of WhatsApp group that was formed days before the Ram Navami festival, Jitendra Singh Gangawar, Additional Director General of Police told the news channel. Through the WhatsApp group, Kundan and Kishan Kumar spread fake videos about Muslims instigating the viewers to incite violence against them.
The police have registered 15 first information reports in the case, in which a total of 140 arrests have been made, reported ANI. Meanwhile, Kundan Kumar has claimed that he has been framed even though he was with the officer in charge of the a police station in Bihar Sharif on the day of the violence, reported The Telegraph.
“I have surrendered because my family’s property was being attached,” he had told reporters on April 8. “The incidents happened because of the inadequate arrangements made by the administration.”
The original tweet announcing the police claims may be read here.
Bihar Sharif Ram Navami violence: ‘Mastermind’ Bajrang Dal Convenor surrenders, Says Policehttps://t.co/cuqa3a742i
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 9, 2023
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