Patna: Social tension continues to grip Bihar, with fresh clashes breaking out in Nawada district on Friday.

Hundreds of people blocked the Patna-Ranchi road near Gondapur Chowk as news about damage to a temple idol spread in the Nawada district headquarters town, around 110km south-east of Patna, on Friday morning. The temple was allegedly vandalised late at night.

The police were pelted with stones when they tried to prevent the protesters from setting a private bus and shops on fire on the bypass road. Personnel from nearby police stations rushed to the spot.

"The police fired two shots in the air to quell the mob," said Nawada superintendent of police (SP) Vikas Burman.

Nawada district magistrate (DM) Kaushal Kumar described the situation as under control. "The administration is closely monitoring the situation. Rumour mongers will be sternly dealt with. The administration is also minutely monitoring social media," he said.

The district headquarters town turned into a fortress, with personnel of the police's special task force, the Bihar military police, anti-riot force of the district police and the district armed police deployed in sensitive pockets. Senior police and administrative officials staged marches to build confidence among residents.

"The anti-socials hell-bent on creating disturbances will not succeed," the DM said.

Nawada had witnessed skirmishes on the eve of Ram Navami, but the situation was then brought under control within hours.

Nawada is the eighth district in the state, after Bhagalpur, Sheikhpura, Munger, Samastipur, Aurangabad, Bhojpur and Kaimur, where clashes have erupted before or after Ram Navami. Top police and government sources said the flare-ups are part of a "well-planned conspiracy" to vitiate the environment.

"There is an urgent need to deal with elements out to harm the social fabric," said former BJP MP C.P. Thakur.

Stick on cops

Aurangabad SP Satya Prakash has initiated disciplinary action against police officials after a local BJP leader, Anil Singh, detained for communal clashes on Wednesday, fled while being taken to court on Thursday. Also on Thursday, two BJP leaders were held in Samastipur.

Union minister Ashwini Choubey's son Arjit Shashwat, wanted for the Bhagalpur flare-up, is still evading arrest.