Devanand Konwar

Patna, June 4: The Bihar government has defended police strategy to deal with vandalism in Patna during the funeral procession of Ranvir Sena chief Brahmesh- war Singh “Mukhiya” on Saturday.

A detailed report submitted to the governor by the state government on Monday evening said the Patna police exercised maximum restraint in crucial moments in tackling the vandals to pre-empt virulent caste war in the state in the wake of Mukhiya’s murder at Ara in Bhojpur district on Friday.

Raj Bhavan sources, however, did not confirm receiving the report. “The home secretary has assured to send the report. But it has not yet been received here,” a senior officer of Raj Bhavan said.

Principal secretariat of home department Amir Subhani maintained that the report was being sent. Governor Devanand Konwar had sought a report from the Bihar government on “lawlessness” on Patna roads and terror created by the supporters of Mukhiya during the funeral procession on Saturday. The government was asked by Raj Bhavan to submit the report within 24 hours.

The report said: “Had the police acted tough against the vandals, the police action would have triggered a caste war in the state. It was a decision taken by the police according to the situation.” The police did not take harsh action because it would have worsened the situation, the report added.

On the decision to allow the funeral in Patna, the report maintained that people cannot be stopped from cremating the body of their kin. “The family members of the deceased had wished to cremate the body at Baans Ghat in Patna. Security arrangements were made for smooth passage of the procession,” the report said.

It also said strict action was being taken against those who indulged in violence and arson in the state capital.

The home department had sought a report from the director-general of police Abhayanand following Raj Bhavan’s directive.

Abhayanand said: “Let me first collect all the facts. Strict action will be taken against those who indulged in large-scale violence and arson on the streets of Patna during the Ranvir Sena supremo’s funeral procession on Saturday last.”

He added: “Four FIRs have been registered against both identified and unidentified persons in connection with the vandalism. The identification of the accused persons was being carried out on the basis of video footage, photographs published in newspapers and motorcycle numbers.”

He said the police had deployed 15 camerapersons to record the movement and activities of all those taking part in the funeral procession. Several motorcycle-borne processionists in the Ranvir Sena chief's last journey had run amok on the streets of Patna between Khagual and Baans Ghat — route of the funeral procession — and beat up public and policemen and torched several vehicles.

The DGP described the law and order situation as normal in Jehanabad and Arwal districts where Ranvir Sena supporters had enforced a bandh on Sunday.

“There is no requirement of additional central forces to deal with the situation,” Abhayanand said, adding that the state police were efficient to tackle the problem.

The Ranvir Sena chief was shot dead by unidentified assailants while taking a stroll near his house at Katira in Ara town in Bhojpur district on Friday morning. He died on the spot.

Mukhiya’s murder triggered violence in Ara and other areas considered to be strongholds of the slain leader.