In a grim aftermath to Monday's polling in Bihar's Saran district, one person was killed and two others injured in an outbreak of post-poll violence on Tuesday morning, according to police reports.
The incident occurred in the Bada Telpa area near Bhikhari Thakur Chowk.
The district police have since transferred Ashwani Kumar Tiwari, the officer in charge of the City Police Station, to a non-sensitive post due to "dereliction of duty" following the violent episode, officials confirmed.
A statement from the Saran district police detailed the sequence of events: “An altercation erupted between supporters of the BJP and the RJD over allegations of polling irregularities from Monday. Amid the chaos, shots were fired, resulting in the immediate death of one Chandan Kumar. Two others, Manoj Rai and Guddu Rai, sustained injuries and are currently reported to be out of danger.”
The authorities have registered a case based on statements from the deceased's family.
Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, and weapons and cartridges have been confiscated from their possession.
A manhunt is underway to apprehend other suspects involved.
To prevent further escalation, internet services have been suspended in the district for two days, and a significant deployment of security personnel, including paramilitary forces, has been mobilised to maintain order.
This violent clash has drawn reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Rohini Acharya, the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ candidate and daughter of RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is running against BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy in Saran, visited the injured in Patna.
She stated, “The incident proves that BJP leaders are scared. It’s a murder of democracy. My three party workers were shot, and I demand justice. There was also a murderous attack on me during polling on Monday, from which I narrowly escaped.”
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav condemned the violence, emphasizing that there is no place for such acts in the democratic process. “The administration has assured me that the two remaining accused will also be arrested by this evening,” he added.
In response, Senior BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is vying for re-election from the Saran Lok Sabha seat, called for a thorough investigation by the Election Commission.
“The Election Commission must thoroughly investigate the matter. How an RJD candidate entered polling booths in Saran during voting on Monday should also be probed as it is a sheer violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” Rudy asserted.