Bihar: 9 injured in clashes between two communities in Bhagalpur

Eight police personnel and a civilian were on Saturday injured in clashes between members of two communities over the playing of music during a religious procession in Bihar's Bhagalpur district.

A local resident was also rushed to hospital with a leg injury after being hit by a brick, a top police official said.

The incident took place in the district's Nathnagar police station area.

A procession of the BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal workers, led by union minister Ashwini Choubey's son Arijit, taken out on the eve of the new 'Vikram Samvat' year, began from the Budhanath temple and reached Nathnagar after traversing the town, Senior Superintendent of Police, Bhagalpur, Manoj Kumar said.

Some of the locals objected to playing of music, which led to some tension, but police intervened after which the procession moved ahead, the SSP said.

A quarrel, however, began soon afterwards among local residents belonging to two different communities with firing of gunshots, hurling of stones and setting fire to shops and vehicles, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said.

The policemen, who were part of a police party that was rushed to the spot, were injured in the incident.

The situation in the locality is tense but under control. Heavy deployment of police has been made.

Further investigations were on and the trouble-makers were being identified after which arrests will be made, the SSP said.

(With inputs from PTI)