A Bharatiya Janata Party worker booked for his involvement in the communal clashes during Ram Navami celebrations in Bihar’s Aurangabad on March 25 and March 26 escaped from police custody on Thursday.
Anil Singh, who is also associated with an organisation called Hindu Sewa Samiti, escaped when he was taken to a local court, The Indian Express reported. “Action is being taken against the negligent policemen,” Aurangabad Superintendent of Police Satya Prakash told the daily.
Singh has served at least seven years in jail before. He joined the BJP in 2007.
On Sunday, rioters had set fire to 50 shops near the Jama Masjid in Aurangabad district. More than 60 people were injured in the stone-pelting that ensued. Several people had also allegedly thrown stones at a Ram Navami procession in Nawadih. Following the communal clashes, Aurangabad was placed under a curfew.
So far, at least 180 people have been arrested for rioting, and raids are on to arrest more, Prakash told The Times of India. Apart from Singh, Aurangabad BJP spokesperson Ujjwal Kumar and ABVP leader Deepak Kumar have also been named in an FIR for rioting, according to The Indian Express.
Similar violence was reported in parts of West Bengal on Sunday during the Ram Navami celebrations. One person was reported killed in these clashes.
While the Ministry of Home Affairs asked the West Bengal government for details of the incidents, the prevailing tension in the state and the action taken against those involved, it has not asked the Bihar government for any such report. The BJP is in alliance with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) in Bihar.
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