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Army called out in Biharsharif

The tension was sparked off over the construction of a temple of goddess Durga on a disputed piece of land at Ambair chowk in the town by karsevaks on Sunday defying a ban.

Three columns of the army, besides contingents of the Rapid Action Force and Bihar Military Police, have been pressed into service to maintain law and order, Jacob, who is camping in the town along with state Home Secretary U N Panjiar, said.

Angry people belonging to a particular community came out in droves defying curfew regulations and blocked the streets with burning tyres and wooden logs. The mob also threw bricks at several places, he said.

Two persons were injured when police opened fire to quell a violent mob after bursting of teargas shells failed to control the rampaging hordes, Jacob said.

District Magistrate Rajesh Agarwal said an idol of goddess Durga was illegally installed on October four, but the administration maintained restraint till the conclusion of the Durga puja festival. When, on Sunday, the organisers began constructing a temple, the administration objected to it, which lead to violent protests.

The idol was removed from the disputed site on Monday morning and a portion of the temple structure was also demolished, he added.

Jacob said, stringent punitive action would be taken against police personnel who were present at the spot but remained mute spectators during the temple construction.

A large contingent was posted at the disputed site but they did nothing to stop the illegal activity, he said, adding a departmental inquiry has been initiated into their role.

A circle inspector, deputed as magistrate in-charge at the disputed site, has been suspended and a recommendation had been made to the government for his dismissal, Agarwal said. PTI

EARLIER REPORTS
Curfew imposed in Bihar town
Six injured in police firing in Bihar

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