Over two dozen people were injured in incidents of communal violence in various districts of Bihar following the immersion of Durga idols and Tazia processions, police said on Tuesday.
People from both communities clashed in Katihar city on Tuesday, pelting stones and even opening fire at each other, police said, adding some shops were looted and ransacked by anti-social elements.
Transport services were disrupted, markets and schools shut down and internet services were suspended following the clashes in which some some shops and vehicles were also set ablaze.
Incidents of communal violence were also reported from Nawada, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Siwan, Sitamarhi, Jamui and West Champaran districts, following which authorities imposed prohibitory orders and banned internet services.
"In Akbarpur bazaar in Nawada, communal tension continues for the last six days. Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed and internet services again banned on Tuesday," a district official said.
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Five persons from both communities have been arrested for alleged involvement in anti-social activities, Nawada Superintendent of Police Vikas Barman said, adding additional security forces were deployed in the sensitive areas.
Tension began last week during Durga Puja and clashes between the two communities took place again in Nawada on Monday night during the Tazia processions.
In Jamui district, communal tension continued for the third day on Tuesday with markets and schools shut, internet services temporarily suspended and additional security forces deployed.
In Siwan, there has been tension since Monday following a violent clash between members of both communities at Karbala bazaar in Barharia.
"A group of people on Monday attacked shops belonging to the another community that led to tension," Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Shah said, adding that the situation was now under control.
Over 50 people were arrested following the communal clashes in Sitamarhi on Sunday and Monday.
In view of communal tension in Bhojpur's Piro and Rohtas' Nokha, the district administration has temporarily banned internet services and deployed additional security forces.
Six shops were torched in Nokha after clashes between the two communities, police said, adding 17 people have been arrested.
Rohtas District Magistrate Animesh Parashar said that additional security forces were deployed.
"The situation is under control but tense. We are alert and keeping a close watch," he added.
There was communal tension in West Champaran after allegedly provocative slogans were raised during a Tazia procession on Monday.
--IANS
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