Patna, June 2: The wave of protests against the murder of Brahmeshwar Singh “Mukhiya” today spread to new areas with the Ranvir Sena chief’s supporters resorting to arson and disrupting traffic in various parts of the state.
The state police headquarters has put many districts in central Bihar, a stronghold of the banned private militia, on a high alert to avert untoward incidents. Reports reaching the police headquarters said supporters of “Mukhiya”, who is originally from Khopira village under Pawana block in Bhojpur district, staged blockades on roads and disrupted traffic for several hours at Daudnagar in Aurangabad district. They also pelted stones on private vehicles and indulged in arson.
Another report said Brahmeshwar’s supporters forced traders to close their shops at Hulasganj market in Jehanabad district. The protesters clashed with police when the latter tried to intervene and stop them from threatening shopkeepers. Additional police forces rushed to Hulasganj from the district headquarters.
His followers disrupted train movement and blocked National Highway 31 passing through Barh and Mokama in Patna (rural). Shops and business establishments in the area also remained closed. Markets wore a deserted look as residents preferred to remain indoors. Barh sub-divisional police officer Raj Kishore Singh said patrolling has been intensified in sensitive areas.
Sources said protesters stopped Danapur-Saharsa Intercity Express near Shivnar village for about an hour. The train resumed its onward journey following intervention of Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force personel. “Traffic on Danapur-Mokama section is normal,” a railway official said.
The police headquarters has sounded an alert in districts considered hotbed of Ranvir Sena, which virtually became defunct after the arrest of Brahmeshwar from Patna’s Exhibition Road area in 2002. Additional director-general (law and order) S. K. Bhardwaj said the superintendents of police of Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad and Gaya have been asked to be extra vigilant because there is a fear of attacks by Sena men in protest against the murder.
Bhardwaj said the situation in Bhojpur was under control. Personnel of anti-riot force of the state police, Bihar Military Police (BMP) and central paramilitary force have been deployed in Ara town to help the district administration maintain law and order. “No violence was reported from Ara,” he said.
The police have collected blood sample, three empty cartridges and a live one of 7.65 bore from the spot where “Mukhiya” was killed.
