Bihar: Govt suspends internet till Sunday after communal clashes erupt in Chhapra during religious procession

A communal clash broke out on Friday in Chhapra town of Bihar while a religious procession was being taken out, prompting the state home department to use emergency provisions under the Indian Telegraph Act to enforce the suspension of internet services till 6 PM Sunday to prevent escalation.

The trouble erupted in the Bhagwan Bazar locality of Chhapra, which is the headquarters of Saran district when a procession for the immersion of Goddess Durga’s idols was being taken out, said a senior police official.

“During the procession, DJ was being played at full blast. In protest, some anti-social elements threw stones. The situation was brought under control after police reached the spot and took charge of visarjan (immersion of idols),” the district police told PTI.

Heavy deployment of police was in place and troublemakers were being identified with the help of video footage for further action.

Meanwhile, the state home department said it received inputs that in the affected areas, “anti-social elements” were using the internet to relay “objectionable content” which could disturb “communal harmony” and result in “damage to life and property”.

Restrictions will be effective across the Sadar Sub Division of Chhapra where sharing of all types of messages and pictorial content through online sites shall remain suspended for the period, the department added.

With PTI inputs.