Violence in Patna City as cops try to remove temple, several two-wheelers set afire

Alok Mishra

Patna: Police had to resort to lathicharge after an irate mob torched several two-wheelers and pelted cop with stones at Chowk Shikarpur under Patna City sub-division when a team had gone there to remove a temple there on December 16, 2016.

It may be mentioned here that the Patna district administration has decided to remove encroachments under entire Patna City sub-division in view of Prakashotsva. A temple of Maa Durga is located on a road close to a drain in Chowk Shikarpur and the local administration had gone there to remove the temple. The administration had also decided to construct a new temple at some other place and install a new idol of Maa Durga there. However, the people became agitated over the administration’s move to remove the temple and started pelting cops with stones. They also set ablaze several motorcycles there.

Finally, the cops resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob. Locals alleged that the cops fired three rounds in the air also, which was denied by police officials. Three persons were arrested in this connection with the incident. When contacted, Patna City DSP Harimohan Shukla said that some persons had been arrested in this connection.