Security personnel stand guard on a railway track after several trains were canceled in protest against the Center Agneepath scheme, in Patna.
Highlight
- Police believe students were instigated through WhatsApp group
- Agneepath protest with fierce violence in Bihar lasted for five days from 16 to 20 June
- Several trains were torched in different districts of the state
Following the horrific violence in Bihar’s Bettiah district during the Agneepath protest, police investigations reveal that students from the district were instigated through a WhatsApp group originating from state capital Patna. A West police officer said, “The violence in Bettiah was well-planned and the students were allegedly instigated through a WhatsApp group originating from Patna. There were some provocative messages that were uploaded on a WhatsApp group called “Future Fauji” on June 17. were carried out,” said a police officer from the West. Champaran District. As per the content of the messages, the members of the group spent Rs 108 to buy petrol and set government properties and properties of BJP leaders on fire. “The movement will be successful only if we set on fire the properties of the government and BJP leaders,” the content of the conversation said.
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On June 17, large-scale violence broke out in several districts of Bihar, including Bettiah, where protesters torched properties of state BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal, deputy chief minister Renu Devi and Lauria BJP MLA Vinay Bihari. The protesters also damaged the properties of BJP MLAs Aruna Devi in Nawada and CN Singh in Chhapra.
The Agneepath protest lasted for five days from June 16 to 20, with massive violence in Bihar. Several trains were torched in different districts including Patna, Jehanabad, Bhojpur, West Champaran, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Nawada, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Supaul. Upendra Nath Verma said, “Rumors were spread through WhatsApp groups in Bihar. Investigation is on as many names have come to the fore. We have arrested some of the accused and also identified many others who were involved in the arson.” The raids are on.” , Superintendent of Police, West Champaran.
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