Bihar: 18-year-boy killed in police firing during Durga Puja procession; VHP calls it barbaric act

An 18-year-old-boy have been killed, and almost 30 persons were injured in the violence that took place on Monday and Tuesday night in Munger, Bihar during Durga procession. 20 policemen including SHOs of Sangarmpur, Kotwali, Kasim Bazar, Basudeopur police stations were also injured in the violence. The injured persons have been admitted to the Sadar hospital here.

53 Durga idols were installed in Munger, the administration had asked the puja organisers to finish the immersion by 5 am on Tuesday because of the polls in the state.

The local persons have claimed that the police fired and an 18-year-old-boy died after being shot in the head.

A video has also been viral which shows merciless lathi-charge on Hindu devotees.

The videos show that Hindus devotees were brutally beaten up by the police, the police have alleged that the participants of the procession pelted stones and used firearms. According to reports, the police have arrested a hundred people in connection with the incident.

The police have claimed that twelve rounds were fired from the crowd, which led the police to retaliate.

The violence broke out after Kotwali police asked Hindus not to delay the idol immersion procession of Shadipur Badi Durga.

It has been reported that the violence erupted during Durga immersion after police allegedly thrashed four individuals who were carrying idols.

As per the sources said, the police have beaten up four persons who were carrying idols on their shoulders.

“The mob pelted stones and opened fire on police which led to the death of one person and injured 27 people including 20 policemen,” Munger’s superintendent of police Lipi Singh said.

VHP has issued a statement demanding that the guilty police and administrative officers be immediately suspended and an enquiry be initiated against them.

VHP said that the police action on Durga devotees was “unprovoked, unnecessary and barbaric lathi-charge on peaceful and unarmed devotees going for the procession of Durga idols”.

The local residents have demanded CBI inquiry and suspension of SP Lipi Singh, and said “Administration has blood on its hands”.

A heavy police force has been deployed in Deen Dayal Chowk and the surrounding areas after the incident. SP Lipi Singh, Police Superintendent, said that the situation has been brought under control.

Munger is set to go for polls on Wednesday in the first phase.