Days after a violent attack on a Durga Puja procession killed one in Munger, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had removed DM Rajesh Meena and SP Lipi Singh from immediate effect. The announcement came alongside an order for a probe into the matter. The ECI said new DM and SP will be posted at Munger on Thursday.
Bihar Chief Electoral Officer said in a press statement issued Thursday, “In the light of the prevailing situation in Munger, ECI has ordered the immediate removal of SP and DM Munger. ECI has also ordered an inquiry into the entire incident by Mr. Asangba Chuba Ao, Divisional Commissioner, Magadh, which has to be completed within the next seven days.”
Video of violence from Munger surfaced when a procession for Durga puja visarjan was attacked and shots were also fired, leaving a young boy dead.
Two days ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, one person was killed and several others sustained injuries as a Durga idol immersion procession (visarjan) was attacked on the occasion of Dashami on Monday. While reports alleged cops fired the shots, Munger Police claimed cops were forced to lathicharge when some “anti-social elements resorted to stone pelting”.
“During Durga puja immersion, some anti-social elements resorted to stone-pelting which injured 20 policemen after this someone from the crowd fired leading to one death. The situation is under control,” news agency ANI quoted Munger SP Lipi Singh, as saying.
the first phase of assembly elections was held in Bihar on Wednesday and Munger also voted for the same. The voter turnout, however, was the lowest in the state – 47.36.