Bihar: Second Explosion Reported In Sasaram; Assembly Adjourned Till 2PM Over Ram Navami Riots Issue

Heavy force has been deployed at 27 locations in affected areas of Sasaram.

According to Sub-Inspector Ram Naresh Singh, “We heard an explosion-like sound in the morning but cannot confirm if it was a bomb blast or some fire-crackers.”

Locals in the area confirmed that they heard “jai shree ram” chants as well.

Following this, the Bihar assembly plunged into turnoil on Monday with the BJP and the ruling `grand alliance' trading charges over the violence which broke out in parts of Bihar, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till 2 pm. ?

The ?BJP accused the `Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) government of failing to check communal disturbances in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns, but ended up being blamed for the conflagration by the ruling coalition.

Bihar Police has carried out simultaneous raids to nab miscreants. As many as 43 people have been arrested from Sasaram so far and three FIRs have been filed.In view of the bedlam, Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary adjourned the House, within 15 minutes of commencement of proceedings at 11 A.M., till 2 P.M.

No sooner than the House had assembled, Leader of the Opposition and other BJP members were on their feet, raising the issue of the riots that began on Thursday evening, during Ram Navami festivities, and continued till Friday, forcing Union Home Minister Amit Shah to cancel his visit to Sasaram on Sunday.

The opposition members, though, were soon outnumbered and outshouted by those in the `Mahagathbandhan,' who accused the BJP-RSS of involvement in the riots and also deplored Shah's remarks at a rally in Nawada district on Sunday, where he had vowed to “hang upside down” the rioters if the BJP came to power in the state. The administration has so far maintained that riots in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns have led to no casualty.

(With PTI Inputs)