RJD chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday attacked the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government over the incident in which one person was killed in firing and stone-pelting during goddess Durga idol immersion in Munger.
Two dozen people, including security personnel, were injured in the clash between cops and revellers on Monday night, a day before the first phase of polling in the district and some other parts of the state.
"We condemn firing by police in Munger, in which 1 person was killed. This double-engine govt definitely had a role in it. We want to ask Dy CM Sushil Modi, who gave permission to become General Dyer?" Tejashwi asked a joint press conference of 'Mahagathbandhan' leaders in Patna.
The Leader of Opposition also demanded a High Court-monitored probe into the incident.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack the state government over the "massacre".
"The Prime Minister is coming to Bihar today. If PM has little conscience, he should sack Bihar government," Surjewala said.
ccording to police, the incident happened late Monday night on the eve of polling in the first phase of assembly elections.
While people alleged the young man, who was in his early 20s, died in police firing, the administration said he was hit by a bullet fired by somebody from among the crowd.
The incident drew political reactions with LJP president Chirag Paswan demanding strong action against Superintendent of Police Lipi Singh.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the Election Commission should take cognisance of the incident and initiate action against the culprits.
Munger District Magistrate Rajesh Meena said the police were also fired on. The DM and the district police chief visited the area and said the situation was under control.
SP Lipi Singh said, "Some antisocial elements indulged in stone-pelting during the Durga puja immersion which left 20 jawans injured. There was also firing from the side of the crowd in which unfortunately a person died.
"We are conducting flag marches across the city. The situation is under control. We are keeping an eye on antisocial elements. Dont pay attention to any kind of rumour," she said.
A purported video of the incident shows security personnel baton-charging a group of people in the immersion procession. Also a disturbing image has been circulating on social media which shows the man purportedly killed in the incident lying motionless on the ground with his head split open.
Among the police personnel injured are: Sangrampur police station SHO Sarvjeet Kumar, Kotwali SHO Santosh Kumar Singh, Kashim Bazaar SHO Shailesh Kumar and Basudevpur outpost incharge Sushil Kumar, police said.
Police said they have recovered three firearms, bullets and spent cartridges and added that some miscreants have been detained.
Witnesses said the trouble started after a makeshift bamboo carrier broke down while carrying a Durga idol and it was taking time to repair it.
They said as the carrier was being repaired other idol processions got held up, leading to a pile-up.
They said the administration wanted the procession to clear up quickly as the security personnel had to be deployed on election duty on Wednesday.
(With PTI inputs)
