Curfew imposed in Bihar's Kishanganj after communal tension

Curfew was imposed in a Bihar town Tuesday following communal tension after the chopped head of a cow was found near a temple, officials said.

Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in Kishanganj town, about 400 km from here, to check communal tension. "Curfew is a precautionary step," said Kishanganj District Magistrate Animesh Kumar Parashar.

Parashar said the situation was under control after angry protestors blocked roads and damaged a few vehicles early Tuesday. "We are monitoring the situation closely," he said.

Kishanganj Superintendent of Police Dipak Barnwal said that as news spread that a part of a slaughtered animal was thrown near a temple, some people protested against it Monday night itself but police defused the situation and convinced them to go back to their homes.

"A group of people angry over the incident again protested Tuesday morning, forced shops to shut down, damaged some vehicles and set them ablaze. It was then decided by the district administration to impose curfew," he said.

Additional security forces have been deployed in the town, he said.

Kishanganj is one of the most backward pockets of the state with a high percentage of poverty, illiteracy and migration. Muslims comprise nearly 70 percent of the population.