100 Goons, 50 Rounds Fired, 21 Houses Torched: What Happened In Nawada?

Nawada: Panic has gripped Bihar's Nawada district after around 21 thatched houses were set on fire by miscreants on Wednesday night. The accused, belonging to another community, entered the Manjhi Tola settlement and fired several rounds in the air before torching the houses. Initial investigation suggests that the incident occurred over land dispute issue and around 15 people have been detained by the Police.

What Happened In Nawada?At Nawada's Manjhi Tola, which comes under the Mufassil police station area, miscreants torched a roadside settlement belonging to the Mahadalit community on Wednesday night. No casualties were reported, said the Police. As the information was received, firefighters rushed to the spot and the fire was controlled before 11 pm. Around 100 goons entered the settlement and fired in the air before setting the houses on fire, according to a report by TV9. The state government is making arrangements for accommodation for those whose houses have been completely gutted. "We are providing relief materials, including food packets and drinking water, to those displaced. Temporary tents have been set up for the victims," said Nawada DM.

#WATCH | Nawada, Bihar | Around 20-25 houses were set on fire by some miscreants in Krishnanagar under the Mufassil Police Station area. No casualties reported. Prima facie it seems to be a land issue: SDPO, Sadar Nawada, Sunil Kumar pic.twitter.com/aXET2wdH7m

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2024

Nawada District Magistrate Ashutosh Kumar Verma said approximately 21 houses, some of which were semi-pucca, were burned by a group in Manjhi Tola. "The district police has arrested 15 people for allegedly torching the houses. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate further, and searches are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects," Verma said. What Bihar Police Said? Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhinav Dhiman, who visited the area after the incident was reported, said, “A call was received around 7.30 pm that some houses were set on fire in Manjhi Tola. Police immediately reached the spot along with fire engines. It took some time to douse the blaze.”Dhiman said that the situation is under control and security has been tightened in the affected area to prevent any flare-up. Another police officer said shots were also fired in the air when the houses were being torched.Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDO), Akhilesh Kumar said that the matter is of land dispute. "...The land dispute matter is going on the court and everyone will accept the decision of the court. We received information about the incident at 7:15 PM. Around 21 houses have been burnt..." Political Row Erupts A political row has erupted with opposition leaders targeting the JDU-BJP coalition government-led by CM Nitish Kumar. Former deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that more than 100 houses were gutted in the fire. “There is Maha Jungleraj and Demon Raj. More than 100 houses of Dalits were set on fire in Nawada. There is fire all over Bihar under the rule of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is least bothered. NDA allies are unaware! They do not care, let the poor burn and die. Atrocities on Dalits will not be tolerated,” Yadav posted on X. Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi demanded action against the culprits. "The cries of the Dalit families who had lost their homes and property and the terror created in the deprived society by the echo of the fierce firing were also not successful in waking up the sleeping government of Bihar," Gandhi posted on X. "Such anarchist elements find shelter under the leadership of BJP and its NDA allies - they intimidate and suppress the Bahujans of India so that they cannot even demand their social and constitutional right," he added. JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said that the state governmnet will not spare the ones involved in the incident. "The government will take strict actions on this. The culprits will not be spared...I have read that this incident happened over land dispute. (Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar has a track record of never promoting such culprits," said Kumar.Meanwhile, NDA ally Chirag Paswan called for financial assistance for the victims and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. "I demand that such culprits be arrested as soon as possible and given the harshest punishment. We must ensure that no one dares to commit such an act in the future," he said.