Bihar: Social Media Sites Suspended in Chapra Amid Communal Tension

Patna: With communal tension persisting in the Chapra town of Bihar a day after clashes between two communities over a minor dispute during Durga Puja idol immersion, the state home department on Friday suspended social media sites for two days to ensure peace.

The Saran district administration has also imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the Chapra Sadar subdivision, and heavy security has been deployed.

The trouble began on Thursday night at Nai Bazar locality under Bhagwan Bazar police station in Chapra Sadar during the Durga Puja idol immersion procession when some locals reportedly opposed loud music and objected to the slogans being raised. 

After that, some people allegedly pelted some stones from the rooftops at the immersion procession, leading to clashes. The police immediately intervened and controlled the situation by talking to both communities, according to reports.

According to the state home department's official order on Friday, social media sites, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Google, and others, have been suspended from October 27 to October 29 evening (6 p.m). The order was issued by the additional chief secretary of the home department, S Sidharth.

An official said the home department decided to suspend social media sites based on the report of the Saran District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. The DM and SP, in their reports, apprehended that anti-social elements might spread objectionable content on social media sites that can cause law and order problems.

"The decision to suspend social media sites was taken by the government to ensure peace in Chapra town," he said.

According to police officials, six persons have been arrested for being involved in fanning communal trouble, including pelting stones and spreading rumours.

Communal clashes were also reported in Begusarai and Aurangabad districts during Durga Puja idol immersion. However, the district administration acted swiftly to control the situation.

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, blamed the Mahagathbandan government led by Nitish Kumar for the “attack” on the immersion processions in the state. BJP leaders alleged that “Hindus were frightened and unsafe” in the state.

In response to BJP, Mahagathbandan leaders of the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal- United said that the BJP was desperate to play the Hindu-Muslim card to polarise people ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.