Bihar: Clashes on razing of temple

More than eight policemen, including few fire brigade officials, were badly injured in a tough battle after violent protests broke out when the police in a bid to demolish a road side temple reached Baghmali area in Hajipur of Vaishali district.

The incident had occurred on Tuesday evening when the police force reached Bagmali locality of Hajipur and began the process of demolition following an order from the Patna high court. According to the police, “People turned violent and attacked us and burned our vehicles when our team began the process to demolish the temple which is constructed on government’s land.”

The Patna high court, while hearing the writ petition filed by a local resident of Baghmali in Hajipur, had ordered the police on January 24 to demolish the roadside temple which was constructed on government’s land. The Patna high court however, later on January 27, stayed its own order after state administrative officials approached the court requesting a month’s time to settle the issue. After their appeal, the court has given a date of February 29.

The Vaishali police on Wednesday arrested a local ward councillor and have also suspended police inspector Shankar Jha. The police, according to sources, is also trying to identify more persons involved in the incident.

Sources claimed, “Police force from five districts were called to control the situation after the mob turned violent and began attacking the local police team”. They said several senior officials were attacked and their vehicles were torched.